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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 2- 7-9-19 PC Final ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, July 9, 2019 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 Chair Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the City Council Chamber PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chair Thompson, Vice Chair Lewis, and Commissioners Chan, and Lin ABSENT: Commissioner Wilander It was moved by Vice Chair Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Chan to excuse Commissioner Wilander from the meeting. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Senior Planner Luis Torrico informed the Commission that there were two supplemental items: An email from Commissioner Wilander regarding Agenda Item No. 2 (to be further addressed by Assistant City Attorney, Mr.Maurer), and an arborist report that was not included in the agenda packet relating to Agenda Item No. 1. Assistant City Attorney Maurer stated that the Commission received an email from Commissioner Wilander with her comments regarding Agenda Item No 2 since she was unable to attend the meeting. The email was distributed to the Commission and now serves as a part of the administrative record. He further clarified to the Commissioners that in the future, please provide your comments directly to Ms. Flores, Planning & Community Development Administrator to avoid potential Brown Act violations. PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person) There were none. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Resolution No. 2034- Approving Multiple Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 18- 03, Tentative Tract Map No. TTM 18-04 (82355), Protected Healthy Tree Removal Permit No. TRH 18-22, and Protected Tree Encroachment Permit No. TRE 19-20 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a six-unit multi-family residential condominium development at 414 Fairview Avenue Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2034 Mr. Torrico introduced the item and presented the staff report. Chair Thompson opened the public hearing and asked if the applicant would like to speak on the item. Applicant Tom Li spoke on the item. 2 6-11-19 Chair Thompson asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in favor of the proposal. No one responded. Chair Thompson asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in opposition of the proposal. No one responded. MOTION- PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Lewis, seconded by Lin to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION The Commission was in agreement to amend the conditions of approval to include a requirement that the replacement trees in the front yard area are to be of Coast Live Oak trees, and that if the existing protected trees are damaged or do not survive, then the additional replacement trees are to be planted. Commissioner Chan recommended adding a condition of approval to install motion sensor lights on the interior staircase in each of the residential units. Chair Thompson recommended that in any future projects that the applicant designs consider increasing the size of the garage so they are above the minimum requirement and are more marketable. Additionally, he would recommended at least 36-48 inch box trees as the replacement trees, at the discretion of the Planning & Community Development Administrator. The Commission was in favor of the project subject to the amended conditions of approval, as shown below. MOTION It was moved by Chair Thompson, seconded by Vice Chair Lewis to adopt Resolution No. 2034 approving Multiple Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 18-03, Tentative Tract Map No. TTM 18-04 (82355), Protected Healthy Tree Removal Permit No. TRH 18-22, and Protected Tree Encroachment Permit No. TRE 19-20 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a six-unit multi-family residential condominium development at 414 Fairview Avenue subject to the amended conditions of approval listed below: Condition No. 3: Two (2) 36-inch box Coast Live Oak trees shall be planted as replacement trees. The trees shall be shown on the final landscape plan that is submitted to Building Services for plan- check. The replacement trees shall be planted in the front yard area; however if it is determined that the front yard will be oversaturated with trees, the other proposed trees in the front yard identified on the landscape plan shall be planted at an alternative on-site location identified by a Certified Arborist. Condition No. 5: Four (4) protected trees, as indicated on the Arborist Report and Landscape Plan, shall be preserved. The recommendations outlined in the Arborist Report shall be adhered to. If said trees are damaged and/or removed during construction, or if they don’t survive within the first 12 months after issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the Planning Services Department shall require additional replacement trees. 3 6-11-19 Condition No. 31: The Owner/Applicant shall install motion sensor stair lights for safety purposes. The plans submitted to Building Services for plan check shall indicate the location of said lights and include a note that the lights will be motion sensor lights. ROLL CALL AYES: Thompson, Lewis, Chan, and Lin NOS: None ABSENT: Wilander There is a ten day appeal period after the adoption of the Resolution. If adopted, appeals are to be filed by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2019. 2. Development Agreement No. DA 19-01, Minor Use Permit No. MUP 18-06, Architectural Design Review No. ADR 18-19, and Planning Commission Administrative Modification No. PC AM 18-02 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to convert 10,000 square feet of the 38,761 square foot, self-storage building into a multitenant food hall with an incidental outdoor dining area at 33–35 W. Huntington Drive Recommendation: Forward a Recommendation to the City Council Mr. Torrico introduced the item and turned it over to Senior Management Analyst Tim Schwehr to present the staff report. Chair Thompson opened the public hearing and asked if the applicant would like to speak on the item. Applicant Peter Lee spoke on the item. Chair Thompson asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in favor of the item. No one responded. Chair Thompson asked if there was anyone that would like to speak in opposition to the item. The following individuals spoke: Christopher Sutton, Attorney Representing Property Owner Manuel Romero (Rod’s Grill): They oppose the project. The project adversely affects Mr. Romero’s business and creates a severe parking deficit. It should not move forward as proposed. An environmental impact report should be completed and the Commission should not recommend approval to the City Council. Mr. Sutton also raised concerns related to the parking in-lieu payment as it relates to the Successor Agency sale of property. Alan Hsiang, Rusnak Arcadia, 55 W. Huntington Drive: Parking is a major concern for Rusnak. Allowing parking on Santa Clara would negatively affect their business and would affect the street appeal for their display vehicles. If the project is to be approved, the applicant should consider their own parking structure. Olga Hassler, Arcadia Resident: She opposed the project. She stated concerns about the project’s impact on the character of the neighborhood. There is no parking as is, and this project will change the family-friendliness of the area and attract gang activity. 4 6-11-19 Manuel Romero, Property Owner, 41 W. Huntington Drive (Rod’s Grill): Parking is already an issue in the area. His lot is full most of the day so the parking has become first come, first served. He was concerned that food hall employees will park in his lot. Several of his own employees have been cited for parking on Huntington Drive due to the parking time limit. City has to take into account job creation not just business creation. Gail Marshall, Arcadia Resident: There are too many projects approved in the City that lack adequate parking. Landscaping is decreasing and hardscape is increasing in the City, which contributes to warming. Metro contributes to the parking issues in the area and Metro riders parking on street will hurt businesses. The parking issue will continue to worsen and this will affect the parking lot near the Post Office as well. MOTION- PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Commissioner Lin, seconded by Vice Chair Lewis to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION Commissioner Lin stated that he loved the concept of the project however; he recommends denial due to the parking deficit that the project creates. Reliance on street or off-site parking would not be feasible and more parking issues would ensue. He recommended staff revisit interior parking at the site, possibly at the basement level to lessen the parking deficit and lessen the impact of the neighboring businesses, at the street, and on nearby lots such as the post office lot. Chair Thompson was in favor of the project. The self-storage use results is a low impact parking requirement for the site. The project location offers ideal walkability for the Le Meridien Hotel site. He discussed the parking study and the estimate at peak hours is probably an accurate estimate. Rusnak employees may be impacting parking in the area and he suggested they park on site or at the lot leased by Rusnak at the Santa Anita Racetrack. There needs to be parking mitigation at peak hours, possibly through the leasing of some parking spaces at the Elks Lodge or through adjustments to parking…on Morlan Place or Santa Clara. Replacement parking could be done at a nearby lot but it would need to be close to the subject property. The project meets the goals and polices of the General Plan. He indicated he was inclined to recommend approval, conditionally, with parking mitigation during peak hours. Vice Chair Lewis also was in favor of the project however she echoes her fellow commissioners concerns with parking. As the Downtown continues to develop, the City needs to assess parking and consider parking structures, possibly with paid parking. Projects such as this are a great first step for the development and revitalization of the Downtown area. It would generate foot traffic and would be ideal for those staying at the Le Meridien. Vice Chair Lewis stated that when looking at the Downtown area, it requires one to develop an urban mentality rather than the suburban perspective that Arcadia is accustomed to. Downtown areas may require parking further away than a person is accustomed to and walking is common feature in urban environments. She agrees with Chair Thompson that there may be opportunities to lease parking spaces during peak hours. There will be projects that present issues such as this and that needs to be worked through to ensure The City is getting projects that will revitalize the downtown; we do not want to lose good projects. Therefore, she stated that she was inclined to recommend approval of the project. Commissioner Chan also acknowledged the parking concern and was not in favor of the proposal with the current parking deficit. He would be inclined to recommend approval if parking could be worked out 5 6-11-19 or if the neighboring businesses could agree upon an arrangement. Rusnak employees should be parking offsite in locations such as the leased Santa Anita lot, and potentially be shuttled in. Parking at the Elks Lodge would affect parking for their events. He recommended that the City Council meet with the applicant and representatives for Rod’s Grill and Rusnak, and agree upon an equitable parking arrangement. With that being said, the concept of the project is new and exciting. He suggested looking at alternative parking arrangements such as working with Rod’s Grill on a fee arrangement to potentially utilize their parking lot during evening hours, once Rod’s is closed. He worries about spillover parking into the Rod’s Grill lot when parking at the subject lot is full and there is no way to monitor that. The $200,000 sale price is relatively small compared to what this project is worth, and he would be in favor of using the funds for parking, such as a parking structure. He is against parking time limits on Santa Anita or Morlan Place. He is concerned that at breakfast hours, Rod’s, Denny’s, and the food hall would all generate a parking need at the same time. He would be in favor if parking could be mediated. Additionally, he recommended the applicant consider adding lighting and cameras in the walkway for safety. MOTION It was moved by Chair Thompson, seconded by Vice Chair Lewis to recommend approval of Development Agreement No. DA 19-01, Minor Use Permit No. MUP 18-06, Architectural Design Review No. ADR 18-19, and Planning Commission Administrative Modification No. PC AM 18-02 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to convert 10,000 square feet of the 38,761 square foot, self-storage building into a multitenant food hall with an incidental outdoor dining area at 33–35 W. Huntington Drive with the addition of a condition of approval to read: “Adequate offsite mitigation parking is secured for peak hour demand to be approved by the director of Planning” ROLL CALL AYES: Chair Thompson and Vice Chair Lewis NOS: Commissioners Chan and Lin ABSENT: Commissioner Wilander The motion failed on a 2-2 roll call vote. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Lin, seconded by Chan to recommend denial of Development Agreement No. DA 19-01, Minor Use Permit No. MUP 18-06, Architectural Design Review No. ADR 18-19, and Planning Commission Administrative Modification No. PC AM 18-02 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to convert 10,000 square feet of the 38,761 square foot, self-storage building into a multitenant food hall with an incidental outdoor dining area at 33–35 W. Huntington Drive. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Chan and Lin NOS: Chair Thompson and Vice Chair Lewis ABSENT: Commissioner Wilander The motion failed on a 2-2 roll call vote. 6 6-11-19 The Commission did not make a recommendation of either approval or denial of the item due to a split 2-2 vote, however; there was a consensus to pass along the Commission’s individual comments to the City Council for their consideration at a future hearing. 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 the June 11, 2019, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission Recommendation: Approve . MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Chan seconded by Chair Thompson to approve the June 11, 2019 Planning Commission Regular Meeting minutes ROLL CALL AYES: Chair Thompson, Vice Chair Lewis, and Commissioners Chan and Lin NOS: None ABSENT: Commissioner Wilander MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISON City Council Liaison Roger Chandler was not present. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSONERS Commissioner Lin recommended to Deputy Development Services Director/City Engineer Phil Wray to install additional “one-way” signage along Huntington Drive, particularly by the Methodist Hospital because he has seen cars driving the wrong way several times. MATTERS FROM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY Assistant City Attorney Michael Maurer had nothing to report. MATTERS FROM STAFF INCLUDING UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Torrico reported that there is one item scheduled for the July 23, 2019 meeting: a Parcel Map for condominiums. He also reminded the Commission that a Community Meeting regarding the Design Guidelines Update would be held prior to the regular scheduled meeting on July 23 from 5-7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned this meeting at 9:08 p.m. to Tuesday, June 25, 2019 in the City Council Chamber at 240 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia. 7 6-11-19 Brad Thompson Chair, Planning Commission ATTEST: Lisa Flores Secretary, Planning Commission