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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-11-17 PC Minutes ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 11, 2017 Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the City’s Planning Services Office located at 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California, during normal business hours. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Lin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Arcadia Council Chamber. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Chiao, Lewis, Thompson, Chan and Lin ABSENT: None SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Staff distributed the following supplemental items to the Commissioners: One piece of correspondence from a neighbor opposing Agenda Item No. 1, and two pieces of correspondences relating to Agenda Item No. 2 consisting of an email from a neighbor of the proposed project outlining some concerns, and an email and a rendering from the applicant addressing the neighbor’s concerns. All of the items were also emailed to the Commissioners before the meeting. In addition, the applicant of Agenda Item 1 provided a copy of the presentation for their proposal. PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person) There were none. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Resolution No. 1997 – Approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 17-07 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a 5,058 square foot health and fitness facility with extended hours at 7-11 E. Foothill Boulevard Applicant: Lori and Chris Huisken Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 1997 Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Jason Kruckeberg introduced the item and turned it over to Senior Planner, Amanda Landry who presented the staff report. Chairman Lin opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant would like to speak on this item. Applicants Lori and Chris Huisken responded. Chairman Lin asked if anyone else would like to speak in favor of the item. No one responded. Chairman Lin asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in opposition of the item. 2 7-11-17 Resident Ms. Virginia Dahl responded. Ms. Dahl stated that she was opposed to the proposal. She lives immediately north of the parking lot of the proposed project. Her main concerns are that the proposed project will cause additional traffic, noise, crime, and will pose privacy issues. In addition, the current parking lot lighting shines directly into her bedroom windows. Due to the nature of the proposed business, the parking lot lighting will be on for an extended period of time thus shining into her bedroom windows for a longer period of time. Lastly, she feels that a 24-hour business would decrease her property value. Chairman Lin asked if the applicant would like to respond to any of the comments in opposition. Ms. Huisken responded and explained that she did attempt to contact Ms. Dahl on several occasions to find out if she had any concerns, but was unsuccessful. She stated that they are willing to work with Ms. Dahl to try and alleviate her concerns such as planting a tree along the shared property line of the proposed facility and Ms. Dahl’s property to help soften the illumination created by the parking lot lighting. It became apparent through the discussion that the light in question was actually on the building, not the parking lot. Chairman Lin asked staff if a condition of approval could be added to ensure that the applicant will work with the Ms. Dahl and staff to place a tree or trees along the property line of the parking lot and neighbor’s property to alleviate the privacy and lighting concerns of Ms. Dahl. Mr. Kruckeberg stated that a condition of approval could be added to require the applicant work with staff and Ms. Dahl to provide a resolution such as some sort of screening methodology or hooding the subject light source instead of specifying that trees must be planted in a specific location. MOTION – PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Commissioner Chiai, seconded by Commissioner Lewis to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION Commissioner Chiao stated that the applicants have done a lot of homework and appear to be very responsible. They seem willing to work with the adjoining neighbor regarding their concerns about the parking lot lighting. He does have a major concern with the fact that the facility will be unstaffed at times, and the possibility of excessive direct false alarm calls to the police department that can become problematic in the future. He preferred that the security camera surveillance be maintained up to 30 to 60 days instead of two-to-three weeks as proposed by the applicants. Regarding crime, he is reasonably satisfied that the issues related to crime will be deterred based on the precautionary measures outlined in the applicants proposal and he is in favor of approving their proposal. Commissioner Lewis stated that the subject property has been vacant for quite a while which is not good for the community. In terms of crime, she is very impressed with the security measures that are being proposed by the applicants and feels that it will help deter crime. She agreed with Commissioner Chiao’s sentiment that the applicants seem very open to working with the neighbor regarding their concerns about the parking lot lighting. She mentioned that she has co-workers that are members of another Anytime Fitness facility and they had nothing but good things to say about the chain. She doesn’t 3 7-11-17 foresee that there will be any noise issues caused by the facility. She stated that the applicants have done their due diligence and she is inclined to approve their proposal. Commissioner Thompson reported that he received the traffic count for the vicinity of the proposed facility and he does not anticipate that the proposed facility will be a heavy contributor to the traffic volume. He stated that he is satisfied with the security measures the applicants are proposing. In addition, since this is a Conditional Use Permit application the Community Development Director has the discretion of periodic oversight and can ensure that the applicant resolves the neighbor’s concerns. He stated that he is in favor of approval of the proposal without adding any additional conditions of approval. Vice Chairman Chan reported that he spoke to members of another Anytime Fitness facility and based on the information he was provided the Anytime Fitness chain is a very high-end fitness facility. Given that, he doesn’t anticipate that this facility will encounter the typical issues experienced by other 24-hour businesses. Regarding adding another condition of approval requiring the applicant to provide some sort of shrubbery or screening to resolve the parking lot lighting issue, he can agree either way with or without adding the condition. Chairman Zi stated that he agrees with his fellow Commissioners but believes there should be an additional condition of approval to protect the privacy rights of the neighbor and to prevent the potential of future litigation. In response to the Commissioner’s comments, Mr. Kruckeberg read an optional Condition of approval No. 13 that could be added: “At the discretion of the Community Development Administrator or designee, the applicant shall install screening options for parking lot lighting as viewed from the neighboring property owner to the north.” The Commissioners agreed this condition should be added. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Lewis to adopt Resolution No. 1997 – Approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 17-07 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a 5,058 square foot health and fitness facility with extended hours at 7-11 E. Foothill Boulevard, and amended the conditions to include an additional condition of approval as read by Mr. Kruckeberg. Assistant City Attorney Michael Maurer clarified for the record that there appears to be an error in the staff report which references Conditional Use Permit Application No. 17- 03, and the correct reference is Conditional Use Permit Application No. 17-07. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Thompson, Lewis, Chiao, Chan and Lin NOES: None 2. Resolution No. 1998 – Approving Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 17-03 (74609) and Multiple Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 17-02 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a three unit residential condominium development at 30 Fano Street Applicant: Robert Tong of Sanyao International Inc. Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 1998 4 7-11-17 Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg introduced the item and turned it over to Associate Planner, Jordan Chamberlin who presented the staff report. Chairman Lin opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant would like to speak on this item. Applicant Mr. Robert Tong responded. Commissioner Thompson asked Mr. Tong to confirm that he is not removing any protected trees from the subject property. He also wanted to know if the drawing Mr. Tong provided staff and staff emailed to the Commissioners before the meeting was not a change to the plans, but rather an illustration to show the current condition of the gable roof in response to a comment received from a neighbor of the subject property. Mr. Tong responded to Commissioner Thompson and confirmed that no protected trees will be removed from the subject property. He stated that the drawing was an illustration of the current condition of the gable roof and that no changes have been made to the plans. Chairman Lin asked if anyone else would like to speak in favor of the item. No one responded. Chairman Lin asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in opposition of the item. No one responded. DISCUSSION MOTION – PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Vice Chairman Chan, seconded by Commissioner Chiao to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION Commissioner Thompson stated that the proposed project has about a 58% floor area ratio. The Commissioners received a letter of concern from an adjoining neighbor to the west and the floor area ratio of the property that neighbor lives in is about 91%. Commissioner Thompson went on to say he did some research and discovered that the neighboring properties around the proposed project are at high intensity levels when it comes to floor area ratio. He stated that the proposed project is consistent with the Multi- family Design Guidelines in terms of intensity. The project is adequately designed and meets the Development Code and has a much less intense floor area ratio in comparison to the neighboring properties. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Chan, seconded by Commissioner Lewis to adopt Resolution No. 1998 – Approving Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 17-03 (74609) and Multiple Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 17-02 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a three unit residential condominium development at 30 Fano Street 5 7-11-17 ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Chan, Lewis, Chiao Thompson, and Lin NOES: None CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and can be acted on by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the Commission, staff, or the public request that specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action. 3. Minutes of June 27, 2017, Arcadia Planning Commission Regular Meeting Recommended Action: Approve MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Chiao, seconded by Commissioner Chan to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 3. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Chiao, Chan, Thompson and Lin NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Lewis MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISON City Council Liaison Beck reported on recent crime that has occurred throughout the City and that that there has been a lot of publicity about the recent home invasion that occurred on Singingwood Drive. He discussed this incident with the Police Chief and even though this is an ongoing investigation it was discovered that the act was likely a targeted act due to a business dispute rather than a random act. He also mentioned that earlier today he noticed an Arcadia Police car unit had pulled over a vehicle in front of his home. He later found out that the subject car contained stolen mail and other items. The suspects were arrested and their vehicle was towed. He stated that most crime is on a downward trend in the city except for home burglaries. He advised everyone not to keep a large amount of valuables in their home, but if they do to keep them in a safe. He announced that next Tuesday the City Council will review the Park and Recreation Master Plan that was previously presented to the Planning Commission. He mentioned that on July 20th he will be at Del Mar to speak to the California Horse Racing Board and thoroughbred owners about the Tucker Bill, which states that we get one-third of one percent of every bet that is placed at the Race Track betting windows, but that arrangement predated the internet, cell phones and other technological advanced devices that people currently use to place bets. The Race Track utilizes City resources, but the City is not getting fairly compensated for that since majority of people are not placing bets at the race track betting windows. He stated that the City Council will continue their efforts to update the Tucker Bill. MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSIONERS There were none. MATTERS FROM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY Assistant City Attorney Mr. Michael Maurer reported that he received a memo this week about a trend in the legislature that has been occurring throughout the past few years which is trying to reduce local control over land use. He has a list of the land use items and he offered to email the list to the Commissioners if they are interested. 6 7-11-17 MATTERS FROM STAFF INCLUDING UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Kruckeberg reported that the main item for the upcoming July 25th meeting will be the Canyon Road project which was previously denied about five times over the years. He stated that Council Liaison Beck mentioned a discussion with City Council on Mixed-Use projects and Downtown Zones which staff will be working on along with an item regarding the prohibition of short term rentals which will be presented at the next City Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting 9:03 p.m. to Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber at 240 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia. Chairman, Planning Commission ATTEST: Secretary, Planning Commission