HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1 - MC 16-05_7 E. Huntington DrMC 16-05
April 26, 2016
Page 1 of 3
DATE: April 26, 2016
TO: Honorable Chairman and Modification Committee
FROM: Lisa L. Flores, Planning Services Manager
By: Thomas Li, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: MODIFICATION NO. MC 16-05 WITH A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) TO
RE-ACTIVATE THE WINDMILL THAT IS ATOP THE DENNY’S
RESTAURANT TO ENABLE IT TO TURN AT 7 E. HUNTINGTON DRIVE.
Recommendation: Conditional Approval
BACKGROUND
The subject property is a 38,062 square foot lot with a 4,390 square foot Denny’s
restaurant at the corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive with parking lot
located directly behind the restaurant. The restaurant was built in 1967 and the
property is zoned Central Business District (CBD) with a Downtown Overlay – refer to
Attachment Nos. 1 and 2 for an aerial photo with zoning information and photos of the
subject property and surrounding properties. The mid-century modern Googie/Mimetic
style building that was designed by local architects Harold Bissner and Harold Zook for
the former Van de Kamp’s restaurant and bakery, as shown in the image below, and it
still has the folded plate roof with the original windmill that sits atop the roof.
In 1987, the City Council adopted
Ordinance No. 1858 that amended the
sign regulations, which included a
provision that prohibited the windmill from
turning. The former Van de Kamp’s
restaurant bakery was subsequently
closed, and the subject building was
remodeled into a coffee shop which now
houses a Denny’s. In 1999, Denny’s
proposed to remove the iconic windmill
and its support tower. However, a
campaign was launched by a group of
MC 16-05
April 26, 2016
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historic preservationists to stop the demolition of the windmill tower. Denny’s
recognized its historical significance to this community and changed its plans to retain
the windmill. As part of the restaurant’s remodel in 2013, the light bulbs on the windmill
were replaced and have remained lit at night. Denny’s is now requesting to re-activate
the windmill and enable it to turn because of the local support to return it back to its
original status.
ANALYSIS
This proposal is to re-activate the windmill atop the Denny’s Restaurant and enable it to
turn. The windmill will turn constantly as the restaurant is open 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. The lights outlining the panes will only be lit at nighttime. A new motor
will be installed to turn the windmill at a speed of approximately six times around in a
minute.
Under the Arcadia’s Municipal Code, the subject windmill is not permitted to turn. A
windmill is considered a “sign” as defined in the Code, which includes any attention
attracting device that is clearly visible to the general public, and moving signs are
prohibited per Code. Therefore, a modification is necessary to allow the subject
windmill to turn.
Allowing the subject windmill to turn will allow this landmark to restore its original status,
and provide an interesting entry to the City’s downtown. At the proposed rate of
rotation, the turning windmill should not be a distraction to drivers and pose any traffic
safety issues. Engineering Services and Building Services have reviewed the proposal
and they have no concerns regarding this proposal. Therefore, approval of the subject
modification request will secure an appropriate improvement of the lot.
FINDINGS
Section 9292.1.4 of the Arcadia Municipal Code states that the purpose of the
Modification procedures is for the following:
1. Secure an appropriate improvement of a lot;
2. Prevent an unreasonable hardship; or
3. Promote uniformity of development
Approval of this proposal to allow the subject windmill to turn would restore it back to its
original status. It would also provide an interesting entry to the City’s downtown, and
serves as a point of attraction. As a result, re-activating the windmill would be an
appropriate improvement to this lot.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed project qualifies as a Class 1 Exemption under “Existing Facilities”
involving the installation and operation of mechanical equipment with no expansion of
use, from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under
Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
MC 16-05
April 26, 2016
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public hearing notices were mailed on April 14, 2016, to the property owners within 100
feet of the subject site. As of April 22, 2016, staff has not received any public comments
on this project.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Modification Committee conditionally approve Modification
Application No. MC 16-05 and find that the project is exempt per CEQA Section 15301,
subject to the following conditions of approval:
1. The windmill shall be allowed to turn 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Arcadia and
its officials, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claim, action, or
proceeding against the City of Arcadia, its officials, officers, employees or agents
to attack, set aside, void, or annul any approval or conditional approval of the City
of Arcadia concerning this project and/or land use decision, including but not
limited to any approval or conditional approval of the City Council, Planning
Commission, Modification Committee, or City Staff, which action is brought within
the time period provided for in Government Code Section 66499.37 or other
provision of law applicable to this project or decision. The City shall promptly notify
the applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding concerning the project and/or land
use decision and the City shall cooperate fully in the defense of the matter. The
City reserves the right, at its own option, to choose its own attorney to represent
the City, its officials, officers, employees, and agents in the defense of the matter.
3. Approval of MC 16-05 shall not be of effect unless on or before 30 calendar days
after approval of this project, the property owner/applicant has executed and filed
with the Community Development Administrator or designee an Acceptance Form
available from the Development Services Department to indicate awareness and
acceptance of these conditions of approval.
Attachment No. 1: Aerial Photo and Zoning Information
Attachment No. 2: Photos of Subject Property and Vicinity
Attachment No. 1
Attachment No. 1
Aerial Photo with Zoning Information
38,062
1
Attachment No. 2
Attachment No. 2
Photos of the Subject Property and Vicinity
View of the subject property at 7 E. Huntington Drive
View of the neighboring properties to the east of the subject property on Huntington Drive
View of the neighboring property to the west of the subject property at the northwest
corner of the intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive
View of the neighboring property to the south of the subject property at the southeast
corner of the intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive