HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-8-11MINUTES
ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 7:00 P.M.
Arcadia City Council Chambers
The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, November
8, 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, Parrille, and Baerg
ABSENT: None
OTHERS ATTENDING
Deputy Development Services Director /City Engineer, Phil Wray
Community Development Administrator, Jim Kasama
Associate Planner, Tom Li
Assistant Planner, Tim Schwehr
Senior Administrative Assistant, Billie Tone
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
Each Commissioner was given two photographs relating to Item 1, a letter of opposition to
Item 2 and a revised version of the minutes of the October 25, 2011 meeting.
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. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. CUP 11 -14
400 N. Rolyn Place
Mr. Thomas P. Clarke of Gernon Holdings, LLC
The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for a trade school /education center
(dba: The Clarke Center) with a maximum of 80 students and five (5) employees in an
existing 15,050 square -foot commercial building in the C -M, Commercial Manufacturing
Zone.
RECOMMENDATION: Conditional Approval
Mr. Li presented the staff report.
Commissioner Beranek asked if the one handicapped parking space was included in the
total count of parking spaces. Mr. Li said that as policy, the applicant is not penalized for
lacking one space when it is lost due to a handicapped space.
The Public Hearing was opened.
Chairman Baerg asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of this project.
Mr. Thomas Clarke, applicant and President of Arroyo Pacific Academy, said that they
wished to expand their current program by offering education in the arts and physical fitness
training but their present facility is not large enough to accommodate this. He said that he
feels the proposed site will easily accommodate the additional programs and that ample
parking is available in the lot adjacent to the building.
Commissioner Baderian asked Mr. Clarke if he read the conditions of approval and is in
agreement with them. Mr. Clarke confirmed that he understood and would comply with all
conditions.
Commissioner Baderian pointed out that staff is recommending an 8:30 a.m. start time for
the school and Mr. Clarke agreed that would be satisfactory. Commissioner Baderian noted
that the permit hours extend to 9:00 p.m. and he asked if classes would be conducted up to
that time. Mr. Clarke explained that most activities will be over by 7:00 p.m. but practice for
special events may be scheduled in the evenings. Even so, Mr. Clarke said they could
easily close by 9:00 p.m.
Chairman Baerg asked if anyone wanted to speak in opposition to this project.
Mr. Danny Williams said that he is the owner of the property at 414 and 420 Rolyn Place
which is just north of the proposed site. Mr. Williams said that he admires the ideals
expressed by the applicant but has concerns about the safety of the students. He said that
Rolyn Place is a narrow cul- de-sac serving a number of industrial type businesses which
generate heavy truck traffic and therefore, he feels it is not an ideal location for a school.
Mr. Williams said that the pictures he provided to the Commissioners clearly show that the
street is very busy and there were no vacant on- street parking spaces.
Commissioner Baderian asked what time of day the pictures were taken and Mr. Williams
said it was approximately 1:30 to 2:00 in the aftemoon.
Ms. Dianne Perry said that her contracting business has been on Rolyn Place for 56 years
and although they have safe drivers for all their trucks and equipment, she too is concerned
for the safety of the students. She also stressed that the cul -de -sac is narrow.
Chairman Baerg asked what the license classifications are for her construction business and
if she had an equipment yard. Ms. Perry said her license classifications are C53 (swimming
pools) and B (general contracting) and confirmed that they have a yard.
Chairman Baerg asked if the applicant would like to rebut.
Mr. Clarke said that he understands the concems of the neighbors on Rolyn Place but he
assured the Commissioners that he personally surveyed the area and is confident that
safety issues can be satisfactorily addressed. He explained that students will either walk or
be dropped off at the current facility so he doesn't anticipate much need for street parking.
He said that he feels certain that the students can be kept safe and that his business will not
interfere in any way with those businesses already established on Rolyn Place.
PC MINUTES
11 -8 -11
Page 2
Mr. Scott Philips of 414 Rolyn Place said he is concerned about parking as the street is
usually full already. He said he doesn't see how the parking lot can accommodate all the
cars from the students and staff of the school especially since the proposed school hours
are the busiest time for the trucks.
Mr. Jim Manin said that he also owns property on Rolyn Place and he supports the school
but has concerns about traffic and safety. He suggested that he could support the project if
the procedures for parking and drop off of students would be studied in more detail.
Chairman Baerg asked the applicant if he would like to rebut.
Mr. Clarke assured the Commissioners that he is very aware of the concerns of the business
owners on Rolyn Place and that he understands the extent of the traffic there. He said he
feels that the school can operate within the limits of the conditional use permit.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Parrille, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to close the
Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved.
Commissioner Beranek asked if the City Engineer, Mr. Wray, would offer comments on the
traffic situation on Rolyn Place. Mr. Wray said that he appreciates the concerns expressed
and agreed that Rolyn Place is a busy street, however, he noted that it is a public street that
is to be shared by all users and that the street is designed to move traffic through, not for
use as a loading zone. He also pointed out that the narrowness of the street causes the
traffic to slow and the drivers to be more cautious. Mr. Wray said he would not recommend
parking restrictions and added that in most cases the school traffic would not conflict with
the business traffic.
Commissioner Baderian pointed out that the area is designated as commercial in the
General Plan and said that he is uncomfortable with a school in a commercial area because
of the potential for accidents.
Chairman Baerg said there are 23 parking spaces on the site and that the tenant or owner
would be entitled to use them. He said that a conflict would exist with a school or any other
type of business because of the oversized equipment using the street.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Beranek, seconded by Commissioner Parrille to approve
Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -14 subject to the conditions in the staff report.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Commissioners Beranek, Chiao, Parrille
NOES: Commissioners Baderian and Baerg
A Resolution reflecting the decision of the Planning Commission will be presented for
adoption at the next Commission meeting. There will be a five working -day appeal period
after the adoption of the Resolution.
PC MINUTES
11 -8-11
Page 3
2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. CUP 11 -16
1430 S. Baldwin Avenue
Fresh Ink Tattoo
The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 725 square -foot personal
service use (tattoo parlor).
RECOMMENDATION: Conditional Approval
Assistant Planner, Tim Schwehr, presented the staff report.
Commissioner Beranek said that the drawing in the staff report shows no parking lot
belonging to the Church next to the proposed site but that Coco's Restaurant has a parking
lot and he asked if the church and Coco's had some type of parking agreement. Mr.
Schwehr said he was not aware of any agreement.
Commissioner Parrille asked if Coco's management had been contacted about overflow
parking and Mr. Schwehr said they had not, because there is a parking surplus at Coco's.
He also noted that there had been no objection from Coco's.
Chairman Baerg asked if piercing and tattooing services would be visible from the street.
Mr. Schwehr said that except for one area, these services would be visible from the street.
Chairman Baerg asked if the applicant had considered other locations for his business. Mr.
Schwehr he was not aware if they had but that there are currently two other tattoo parlors on
Baldwin Avenue.
The Public Hearing was opened.
Chairman Baerg asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of this project.
Mr. Kim Vong, a partner in the business, said that they are proposing a low profile studio
which will not generate a lot of traffic. They will design a trendy and modem interior and
provide services by appointment only. He added that they are planning to cover the front
windows with blinds.
Chairman Baerg asked Mr. Vong if he had considered altemate locations. Mr. Vong said
they had but since there are two other tattoo parlors on Baldwin Avenue they thought this
would be a good location.
Commissioner Parrille asked if the other tattoo parlors are open on Sunday and Mr. Vong
explained that most of them are open every day until 9. Mr. Vong said that the customers
will be required to make an appointment and will park behind the building and enter from the
rear.
Commissioner Beranek asked Mr. Vong if he had read the conditions of approval and would
agree to comply with all of them. Mr. Vong said he would.
Chairman Baerg asked if anyone wanted to speak in opposition to this project.
There were none.
PC MINUTES
11 -8 -11
Page 4
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek to close the
Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved.
Commissioner Parrille said that this is a legitimate use of the property but he was concemed
about the Sunday night business next to a residential area.
Chairman Baerg said he shared Commissioner Parrille's concerns and added that
conditions should be added to block the piercing and tattooing from public view.
Chairman Baerg suggested adding the following phrase to Condition No. 3: "No tattooing or
piercing shall be visible from outside of the business ".
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek to approve
Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -16 subject to the conditions in the staff report as
amended.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, and Baerg
NOES: Commissioners Chiao and Parrille
A Resolution reflecting the decision of the Planning Commission will be presented for
adoption at the next Commission meeting. There will be a five working -day appeal period
after the adoption of the Resolution.
CONSENT ITEM
3. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2011
RECOMMENDATION: Approve
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Beranek, seconded by Commissioner Baderian, to approve
the minutes of October 25, 2011, as amended.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Chaio, Parrille and Baerg
NOES: None
MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION
There were none.
MODIFICATION COMMITTEE AGENDA
Chairman Baerg reported that the Modification Committee was cancelled.
PC MINUTES
11 -8-11
Page 5
MATTERS FROM STAFF & UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Kasama reported that the permit for removal of a healthy oak tree that was denied by the
Planning Commission was appealed by Mayor Pro Tem Harbicht and would be reviewed at the
November 15 City Council meeting. He said that the General Plan Amendment and Zone
Change recommended for approval by the Commission were approved by the Council and the
Resolution was adopted approving the General Plan Change. The Zone Change Ordinance
was introduced and has been scheduled for adoption at the next meeting. Mr. Kasama said the
Resolution for the Homeowners Associations will be reviewed by the Council at the December 6
meeting. Other upcoming items include a Conditional Use Permit for a pre- school on East Live
Oak, an art school on Baldwin Avenue, and Westfield's request for a revision to their Design
Review allowing expansion of restaurant space in the Promenade section of the mall.
ADJOURNED
ATTEST:
Secretary, P(a ning Commission
Chairman, Planning Commission
7:55 p.m.
PC MINUTES
11 -8-11
Page 6