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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-26-91Planning Commission proceedings are taped recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Dept. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 26, 1991 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, March 26, 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 CAW PRESENT: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany, Papay ABSENT: None MINUTES MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve the Minutes of March 12, 1991 as amended. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilman Joseph Ciraulo City Attorney Mike Miller Planning Director William Woolard Associate Planner Corkran Nicholson Secretary Silva Verge! PUBLIC HEARING MP 91 -001 126 Loralyn Dr. Albert Kirk Consideration of a modification for a 10' -0" side yard setback on each side of a proposed second -story addition in lieu of a 15' -0" setback requirement for each side of the addition. The staff report was presented. Staff commented that the plans for this project have not yet been submitted for plan check. It was noted that the applicant has been working on this project before the new setback regulations went into affect. The public hearing was opened. Albert Kirk, 126 Loralyn, said that he has been working on the project for almost a year. The house is narrow and has 5' setbacks on either side. In planning this remodel, he has tried several alternatives and feels that this is the best layout and floor plan that would work. His neighbors are in favor of the addition and have seen the plans and feel that it would be an appropriate improvement and Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/26/91 Page 1 would promote uniformity. He remarked that there are three two -story homes in the area and remarked that there isn't enough room on the east side of the property due to the chimney. He stated that they had a very difficult time determining the location of the stairs, since the stairs dictated the floor plan upstairs, and he feels that where it is proposed is the best location because of the existing way that the house is situated on the lot. The proposed house will be 24' high and will have a very low profile. If this was approved, he would be in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. There were no other persons desiring to speak in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Clark to dose the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Clark said that he thought that the ordinance applied to new homes and had no problem with the requested modification. Commissioner Hedlund commented that the intent of the ordinance was for all homes and not exclusively for new homes. He thought that the stairway has taken too much space and that the applicant has not explored all possibilities and configurations. Chairman Papay said that he did not think that Mr. Kirk has explored every option and•felt that there are better alternatives. He said that the chimney does protrude out but the whole side Of the house does not have to be in line with the chimney. Commissioner Szany said that there are a lot better possibilities and was in agreement recommendation of denial. Commissioner Amato suggested continuing it and allowing the applicant to come up with Mr. Kirk was in agreement with continuing the hearing. Chairman Papay remarked that the Commission has no objections with the modification the first floor and explained Mr. Kirk's options to him and the appeal procedure. MOTION with staff's a better plan. requests for It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Clark to continue the hearing to April 23, 1991. ROLL CAW AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany, Papay NOES: None PUBLIC HEARING CUP 90 -002 142 E. Duarte Rd. Les Connard The staff report was presented. Consideration of a conditional use permit for a proposed martial arts instruction studio to be located within an existing shopping center, and a parking modification to permit 109 on -site spaces in lieu of 208 spaces required for the shopping center. Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/26/91 Page 2 Staff said that there are 3 parking spaces to the rear of the building but thought that that is the loading area. No correspondence has been received from Alpha Beta. Plans are in plan check for the remodel of the shopping center but it does not propose to improve the parking layout. There are 2 handicap spaces in front of the liquor store. A total of 109 on -site- parking spaces exist on the site. Under current zoning regulations the shopping center would need 186 parking spaces and with the proposed studio 212 parking spaces would be required. However, 212 parking spaces for the site in misleading, because the existing eating establishments within the shopping center are not intense uses and each was required to obtain a conditional use permit and has limited seating for patrons to insure that the parking demand for such establishments would be similar to that of a general retail business. The applicant has made thirteen random vehicle counts to determine the availability of on -site parking for the business and based upon this survey and average of 38 parking spaces were available. Staff has survey of the available parking space concurs with the applicant's parking survey. The majority of the vacant parking spaces are to the east side of the parking lot. The small shop to the northeast of the property has its own parking but shares a reciprocal driveway easement off of Duarte Road and Second Avenue. Staff commented that approximately 85% of the parking is utilized in the center. The public hearing was opened. Les Connard, 2002 E. Cienega, Covina, said that he is in agreement with all of the conditions of the staff report. He remarked that most people take these classes for self defense and attend classes from 3 months to one year. He remarked that they have a studio in Alhambra and most of the parents just drop off the children but about 6 -15 parents stay to watch the work out. Each session will be 45 minutes and there will be 30 minute between each class which would help ease the parking problem so the classes would not overlap. The heaviest parking use is between 5:00 -6:00 p.m. and the classes that are scheduled during that time are for the smaller children that parents will drop off. The demand for parking drops sharply after the above mentioned time and that is when the adult classes will be scheduled. The classes are hands on training and would be like aerobics. There would be between 15- 30 students in the evening classes and he noted that having 35 students would probably be too many and would fill up the mats and there would probably not be enough room for a good work out. He said that in order to reduce the parking problem, his staff could utilize the 3 available parking spaces to the rear of the building. Staff said that the applicant originally requested a maximum of 40 students and taking the parking into consideration it was suggested that that number be reduced to a maximum of 35 students. There were no other persons desiring to speak 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. Mr. Woolard suggested that if the Commission approves this request that an additional condition be added requiring a set amount of time between classes. Commissioner Hedlund was concerned about parking and agreed with Staff's comment that 85% of the parking is utilized in the center. The shops there have quick turn around and patrons using the Alpha Beta supermarket parking park for about 45 minutes. He felt that the parking would spill over onto Second Avenue and since this is in close proximity to residential property he felt it might have potential negative impact on the residence. Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/26191 Page 3 Commissioner Amato did not feel that parking would be a problem and said that most parents would drop off their kids and do errands. Commissioner Clark was in favor of the use and suggested that the rear door be limited to the use by employees and that it be closed during classes to reduce noise. Commissioner Szany wondered if this was denied what other use would go in its place? He was concemed that if parents stayed there would be too many people in such a small space. It was the consensus of the Commission that the following conditions be added: 9. That there be a minimum of 20 minutes between classes. 10. That the rear door be restricted to the use of employees and it should be closed during classes. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve CUP 91 -002 subject to the conditions in the staff report with the above mentioned condition. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Szany, Papay Commissioner Hedlund Chairman Papay noted that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. PUBLIC HEARING TA 91 -004 Consideration of a text amendment adding a new zoning designation of R -1 15,000, establishing a new Second One - Family zone that requires a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. 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 It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Szany to recommend approval of TA 91 -004 to the City Council. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany, Papay NOES: None Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/26/91 Page 4 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None MATTERS FROM COUNCIL None MATTERS FROM COMMISSION Commissioner Amato remarked that recently complaints were received in regard to the poor quality of workmanship of some of the buildings that are being built in the City. Due to the poor quality and cheap material usage, it is very difficult for quality builders to compete with the prices. He said that in response to these complaints, he accompanied Rudy Franta and Corky Nicholson to review some of these properties and concurred with the contractors' comments. Mr. Woolard remarked that this is very unfortunate but nothing in the Code deals with the quality of workmanship and that would be very difficult to implement. He noted that one way that good construction can be recognized is where the quality contractors can apply for awards as recognition from trade organizations. The Building Industry Association should take the lead and develop a recognition program. Chairman Papay suggested issuing a seal of quality and workmanship to builders who build quality homes and allowing them to display the seal. He remarked that if the buildings are not built well then they will not sell. Commissioner Clark stated that the average person would probably not be able to decipher a quality built home from one with poor quality and would probably buy to the poor quality home because of its low price. Staff noted that sometimes it is suggested to builders to make changes but the builder is not obligated to do so. During the plan check process the plans look very good and if during construction the builder cuts corners the end product will not end up as nice as anticipated. Staff commented that in surveying Chief Building Officials of several cities, it was determined that it is extremely difficult to inspect for quality control and even tougher to enforce. MATTERS FROM STAFF None ADJOURNMENT 9:00 p.m. / /• , Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 3126191 Page 5