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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2 - 3-27-18 PC Minutes ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 27, 2018 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 – Vice Chair Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PRESENT: Vice Chair Thompson, and Commissioners Lewis and Fandry ABSENT: Chair Chan and Commissioner Lin It was moved by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Fandry to excuse Chair Chan and Commissioner Lin from the meeting. Without objection, the motion was approved. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Staff did not have any supplemental information. PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person) There were none. PUBLIC HEARING All interested persons are invited to appear at a public hearing and to provide evidence or testimony concerning any of the proposed items set forth below for consideration. Separate and apart from the applicant (who may speak longer in the discretion of the Commission) speakers shall be limited to five (5) minutes per person. The applicant may additionally submit rebuttal comments, at the discretion of the Commission. You are hereby advised that should you desire to legally challenge in court any action taken by the Planning Commission regarding any Public Hearing item, you may be limited to raising only those issues and objections you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. 1. Planned Development Permit and associated applications for the Las Tunas Mixed-Use Project, a project consisting of 77 multiple-family residential units, 3 live/work units, 8,500 square feet of commercial space, and the removal of and encroachment upon several protected trees, at 17 Las Tunas Drive. Applicant: Olson Urban Housing, LLC Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 2013 denying the project and finding the project statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a disapproved project Planning & Community Development Administrator, Ms. Lisa Flores introduced the item and turned it over to Assistant Planner, Ms. Vanessa Quiroz and Assistant City Manager, Mr. Jason Kruckeberg who presented the staff report. Vice Chair Thompson opened the public hearing and asked if the applicant would like to speak on this item. Applicant Ms. Sandy Gottlieb of Olson Urban Housing LLC responded. 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. Vice Chair Thompson asked if anyone else would like to speak in favor of the item. No one responded. Vice Chair Thompson asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in opposition of the item. No one responded. MOTION – PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Fandry to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved DISCUSSION Commissioner Fandry viewed the proposed project as a major enhancement to the area. He would like to see the project happen. Commissioner Lewis stated that she grew up in the area. She can understand the City’s desire for a stronger commercial site. She stated that at one time it was a viable commercial area, but not a strong one. Since then, retail has changed. She thought the appearance of the project was aesthetically pleasing and agrees with staff’s desire for a stronger commercial component. However, from a realistic standpoint there are challenges with the location of the project. She believed the project will add vitality to the area and also thinks the entrepreneurial business type proposed for the commercial element is a good direction. This property has been a bit of a blight for years, and she believes the project would work. Vice Chair Thompson discussed challenges of the site, staff’s findings, and listed the project’s positive characteristics. He stated the corner of the property is an area the Olson Company cannot incorporate into the project which creates an irregular L- shaped parcel. Additionally, the site requires substantial demolition which would incur extensive cost. He also noted that the site has its challenges due to the irregular circuity of travel due to the Y-shaped intersection. He stated the commercial marketplace is changing and there is a reduced need for brick and mortar stores with the rise of online retailers such as Amazon. Real estate professionals have accessed the area and confirmed a reduced demand for commercial. There has also been no success in finding a desirable market anchor for the site. Additionally, environmental mitigation is a concern. In addition, Thompson addressed Findings 1, 6, and 8. He believed all three findings addressed a similar concern regarding the commercial component of the project. The proposed project only replaces 17% of the current commercial floor area. The site is no longer zoned Commercial. He believes the project represents the highest and best use of the land if one uses a “Use value vs investment value.” analysis. Lastly, he believes the project’s scale and mass are in line with the as-built environment and the project is generally consistent with the Mixed-Use Land Use designation outlined in the General Plan. He appreciates that the residential units have private garage spaces. The development would add new residents and workers to the area. There is a half an acre of common, open-space. Furthermore, Olson Urban 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. Housing is an experienced developer with the Mixed-Use product. The development would be a boost for Live Oak corridor. With the addition of a tree condition, he is inclined to approve the project. Vice Chair Thompson stated it was clear that the Planning Commission is going to recommend approval and overturn staff’s recommendation to deny the project, and asked for further direction from Ms. Flores. Planning & Community Development Administrator, Ms. Lisa Flores recommended that the Planning Commission take a 10 minute recess to review the new Resolution that staff had prepared for approval, as well as the conditions of approval, and the Mitigated Monitoring Program since the Planning Commission will be required to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Vice Chair Thompson called for a recess, and reconvened the meeting 10 minutes thereafter. RECESS /RECONVENE Meeting was called back to order at 8:16 p.m. Vice Chair Thompson turned it over to Ms. Flores. Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Mike Maurer explained a new resolution was distributed to the Commissioners recommending approval, should they chose to do so. The new resolution contains revisions to Conditions 12, 30, and 63 as well as Finding’s 5A and 18. He recommended re-opening the public hearing to enable the applicant and/or the public to address the revised Findings and Conditions. MOTION – PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Commissioner Fandry, seconded by Commissioner Lewis to open the public hearing. Applicant, Sandy Gottlieb thanked the Commissioners and Staff. She stated Olson Urban Housing is fully supportive of the changes. The public hearing was closed. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Fandry to adopt Resolution No. 2013, approving Planned Development Permit and associated applications for the Las Tunas Mixed-Use Project, a project consisting of 77 multiple- family residential units, 3 live/work units with 2,487 square feet of commercial space, and an 8,500 square foot, one-story commercial building, and the removal of and encroachment upon several protected trees, and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Las Tunas Mixed-Use Project at 17 Las Tunas Drive with five changes to the findings and conditions which were read under the record by Ms. Flores and Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Maurer. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Lewis, and Fandry, and Vice Chair Thompson 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. NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Lin and Chair Chan There is a ten day appeal period after the adoption of the Resolution. Appeals are to be filed by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018. 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. 2. Minutes of the February 27, 2018, Arcadia Planning Commission Regular Meeting Recommended Action: Approve MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Fandry to approve Consent Calendar Item 2, approving the February 27, 2018, Arcadia Planning Commission Regular Meeting minutes. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Lewis, and Fandry, and Vice Chair Thompson NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Lin and Chair Chan MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISON City Council Liaison Beck reported that he attended the Chamber Installation dinner. He wish ed those who celebrate Easter a happy holiday. He announced upcoming events including the Mayor’s Community Breakfast and the Derby Day 5k at Santa Anita Park. He added that he will be unable to attend the next Planning Commission meeting due to the City Council Reorganization. MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSIONERS The Planning Commissioners did not have anything to report. MATTERS FROM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Maurer briefly explained Senate Bill 827 (SB-827), a proposed housing bill which would affect local governments. He said he would be happy to provide updates to the Commission as SB-827 continues to move through the legislative process. MATTERS FROM STAFF INCLUDING UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Flores introduced new Senior Planner, Luis Torrico. Additionally, she announced the April 10, 2018 Planning Commission meeting will most likely be cancelled. The April 24, 2018 Planning Commission meeting will be held in the Emergency Operations Center located at the Arcadia Police Department, 250 W. Huntington Drive and at this time we will have two items tentatively scheduled for that meeting. 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. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. to Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber at 240 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia. Brad Thompson Vice-Chair, Planning Commission ATTEST: Lisa Flores Secretary, Planning Commission 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.