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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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