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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-23-11MINUTES ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 7:00 P.M. Arcadia City Council Chambers The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive with Chairman Baerg presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Baerg led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Chiao, and Baerg ABSENT: Commissioner Parrille MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian and seconded by Commissioner Chiao to excuse Commissioner Parrille from the meeting. Without objection the motion was approved. OTHERS ATTENDING Deputy Development Services Director /City Engineer, PhD Wray Community Development Administrator, Jim Kasama Senior Planner, Lisa Flores Assistant Planner, Tim Schwehr Senior Administrative Assistant, Billie Tone SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Kasama directed the Commissioners' attention to a letter of opposition relating to item 2. TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON - PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS — Five - minute time limit per person There were none. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. TPM 11 -05 232 Genoa Street — Leo Wu A Tentative Parcel Map for a two -unit, residential condominium subdivision. RECOMMENDATION: Conditional Approval Associate Planner, Tim Schwehr, presented the staff report. The Public Hearing was opened. Chairman Baerg asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of this project. There were none. Chairman Baerg asked if anyone wanted to speak in opposition to this project. There were none. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek to close the Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Chiao to approve Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 11 -05 subject to the revised conditions presented by staff. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Chiao, and Baerg NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Parrille There is a ten (10) calendar day appeal period after the approval /denial of the subdivision. Appeals are to be filed by 4 :30 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011. 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. CUP 11 -11 16 North First Avenue — Charles Yi A Conditional Use Permit with a Parking Modification to permit a wine bar and specialty retail sales. RECOM MENDATION: Conditional Approval RESOLUTION NO. 1842 A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, Califomia, Approving Conditional Use Permit No. 11 -11 with a parking modification to allow a wine bar and specialty retail sales at 16 N. First Avenue. Senior Planner, Lisa Flores, presented the staff report. Commissioner Baderian asked for the Redevelopment Board's definition of a wine bar. Ms. Flores explained that a wine bar would include a bar area, wine tasting room and retail sales of bottled wine. Commissioner Beranek asked about the comments provided by Ms. Janelle Williams in a letter of opposition regarding the State Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license. Ms. Flores said that after a permit is approved, the applicant can apply for their ABC license and PC MINUTES 8-23-11 Page 2 it can take up to three months for ABC to process the application. But, the applicant has opted to apply in advance to expedite the process. As a result, the status of the application is listed as "pending ". She also mentioned that the applicant wished to respond to the letter himself. Commissioner Beranek asked what the connection was between Ms. Williams, the writer of the letter of opposition, and the applicant. Ms. Flores said that according to the applicant, Ms. Williams is a friend of Mr. Starkey, the owner of the Wine Cave, another wine bar in Montrose. The public hearing was opened. Chairman Baerg asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of this project. Mr. Clint Melchor, a wine broker, said he has been acquainted with the applicant, Mr. Yi, for a couple of years. He said he felt the wine bar would be a perfect fit for the redevelopment area and explained that the objective would be to expose local residents to boutique wines from small family wineries in Napa/Somona. In response to a question from Chairman Baerg, Mr. Melchor explained that he is not a co -owner of the business. Commissioner Baderian asked if the applicant would respond to the allegations in Ms. Williams' letter. Mr. Charles Yi, the applicant, offered to answer any questions arising from Ms. Williams letter. Commissioner Beranek asked Mr. Yi if, as stated in Ms. Williams' letter, he has no experience as a retailer. Mr. Yi said that is true. Commissioner Beranek asked Mr. Yi to describe his association with the Wine Cave. Mr. Yi said that the owners of the Wine Cave had asked him to work as a consultant and to be part of future expansion. However, after a review of his options, Mr. Yi decided that he would prefer to invest in a business by himself. Mr. Yi also stated that he was never part owner of the Wine Cave in Montrose. Commissioner Beranek asked Mr. Yi to comment on Ms. Williams' allegations regarding his application for an ABC license. Mr.Yi explained that he applied for the license which can take up to three to four months to process, but if his Conditional Use Permit application is denied, then he will withdraw his application for an ABC license. He added that he fully intends to obtain all necessary licenses. Commissioner Beranek asked Mr. Yi about Ms. Williams' allegations that he was trying to avoid providing his fingerprints for the required FBI criminal background check. Mr. Yi said that he had been fingerprinted for the background check and displayed a copy of the live scan submitted to the FBI dated July 25, 2011. Commissioner Beranek asked Mr. Yi to reaffirm that all information presented in his application is proper and truthful. Mr. Yi replied, "Of course ". Mr. Yi said that he originally considered using Wine Cave II as the name for the wine bar, but later changed his mind. Commissioner Baderian asked Mr.Yi if he was planning any exporting or wholesaling of wine at this location and Mr. Yi said no. Commissioner Baderian asked if a taste of wine would not exceed two ounces and Mr. Yi said that if the City doesn't allow more than two ounces, he will comply. PC MINUTES 8-23-11 Page 3 Commissioner Baderian asked if there would be separate areas for tasting and for purchasing a glass of wine. Mr. Yi said both tasting and purchasing wine by the glass would take place at bar side and at a few tables. Commissioner Baderian asked about sales of food and Mr. Yi said no food will be sold but crackers and cheese will be offered. Commissioner Chiao asked Mr. Yi how he would be able to determine the busiest business hours since he has no past experience in retailing. Mr. Yi said he expects the busiest hours to be from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Commissioner Chiao asked about parking during peak business hours and Mr. Yi explained that parking is available across the street from the site. Mr. Matt Jeng, a consultant and restaurant designer, said he is helping Mr. Yi to submit his CUP application and to start his business. He explained that Mr. Yi was not sure what type of ABC license was required so he decided to wait for CUP approval before applying for an ABC license. In regards to the parking situation, Mr. Jeng noted that there are usually only a few cars in the lot and that a parking study showed plenty of space. Mr. Jeng said that he doesn't know why Ms. Williams wrote the opposition letter but he pointed out that she is not at the meeting to answer questions but he and the applicant, Mr. Yi, are present. Commissioner Baderian asked Mr. Yi is he read the staff report and was aware of the conditions of approval. Mr. Yi said that he reviewed the staff report and will comply with all the conditions of approval including the last two additional conditions. Chairman Baerg asked if anyone wanted to speak in opposition to this project. There were none. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek to close the Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved. Commissioner Beranek said that he had some reservations about this project and was concerned that Mr. Yi may have overstated his position at times. Commissioner Baderian also voiced reservations based on the information presented by the applicant at tonight's meeting. He said he was concerned that this might not be the right type of business for the redevelopment area. Commissioner Chiao said that he was not concemed about the credibility of the applicant, but about the lack of parking, and had some questions about the parking study. Ms. Flores said that the public parking lot nearby should provide sufficient parking. She pointed out that the parking study indicates that the peak demand for all the surrounding areas is currently from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. while this use will experience peak parking from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with only 38% of the spaces used. She explained that even though the wine bar will only PC MINUTES 8 -23-11 Page 4 have seven parking spaces, with one serving as a handicapped space, the use of shared parking provided in the city parking lot will more than make up for any deficiency. Mr. Wray pointed out that the use of shared parking is typical in the city and that the city lots are intended to provide supplemental parking for businesses. Furthermore, he said, most of the activity in the area is currently during the day time, so the night parking use for the wine bar would complement the parking plan already in place. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek to deny Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -11 subject to the revised conditions presented by staff. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, NOES: Commissioners Chiao & Baerg ABSENT: Commissioner Parrille Chairman Baerg asked if a continuance is possible, if the applicant is agreeable. Mr. Yi said a continuance would be acceptable. MOTION: In the absence of a majority vote, Commissioner Beranek moved to continue this item to the September 13 meeting when all Commissioners are expected to be present. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Baderian. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Chiao and Baerg NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Parrille CONSENT ITEM 3. MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2011 RECOMMENDATION: Approve MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Beranek, seconded by Commissioner Chiao, to approve the minutes of August 9, 2011, as submitted. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Chiao, and Baerg NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Parrille PC MINUTES 8 -23-11 Page 5 MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION Mayor Pro Tem Harbicht reported that contracts have been approved with all employee bargaining units and he briefly described the major updates to the contracts. He also announced that Santa Anita Race Track will be hosting the Breeder's Cup again, which will provide significant revenue to the City. MODIFICATION COMMITTEE AGENDA Chairman Baerg reported that the Modification Committee approved an application to remove a healthy oak tree, trim another oak tree and encroach on a third oak tree to accommodate a new retaining wall. MATTERS FROM STAFF & UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Kasama reported that the next agenda will include the Conditional Use Permit for the wine bar that was continued at this meeting as well as a General Plan Amendment for 650 W. Huntington Drive changing the use from residential to commercial, and a Conditional Use Permit application for the Presbyterian Church on S. First Avenue to amend the use of some of their facilities. ADJOURNED ATTEST: 61/ Secretary, lanning Commission Planning Pla g Commissi 7:55 p.m. PC MINUTES 8 -23-11 Page 6