Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 5- 4-28-20 PC Minutes ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020 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 Wilander called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. She announced that Chair Lewis and Commissioner Lin were unable to attend the meeting due to family circumstances. In order to comply with social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19, the meeting was televised and streamed live and Commissioners Chan and Thompson participated by telephone. Assistant City Attorney Maurer, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Jason Kruckeberg, and Development Services Director/City Engineer Philip Wray were also on the line. She also informed the public of a call-in number that was established for public comments. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PRESENT: Vice Chair Wilander PRESENT (Via telephone): Chan, and Thompson ABSENT: Chair Lewis, and Lin It was moved by Chan, seconded by Thompson to excuse Chair Lewis and Commissioner Lin from the meeting. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Planning & Community Development Administrator Lisa Flores announced that received one email related to Agenda Item No. 2 that she would read into the record during the public hearing. PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person) There were none. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Resolution No. 2054 – Approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 20-01 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) to allow a tutoring center with up to 12 students at 20 East Foothill Boulevard, Unit 216 Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2054 Applicant: Weidong Peng, Applicant and Business Owner Vice Chair Wilander introduced the item and turned it over to Senior Planner Luis Torrico to present the staff report. 2 4-28-20 Vice Chair Wilander opened the public hearing and asked if the Applicant would like to speak on the item. Applicant Weidong Peng responded. Commissioner Thompson asked the Applicant if he has reviewed the conditions of approval and if he agrees to comply with the conditions. Mr. Peng said that he will comply with the conditions of the conditional use permit. Commissioner Chan asked Mr. Peng if he would be willing to provide adult supervision to students using the public restroom. Mr. Peng responded that adult supervision would be provided to students using the restroom. Ms. Flores stated that a condition of approval would be added to the Resolution. Vice Chair Wilander asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in favor of the proposal. There were no calls received in favor of the proposal. Vice Chair Wilander asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in opposition of the proposal. There were no calls received in opposition to the proposal. MOTION- PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Commissioner Chan, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION The Planning Commission determined the use to be consistent with the General Plan and zoning, and they concluded that the site provides adequate parking for the use. They were in favor of the Commissioner’s Chan recommendation to require adult supervision for all students. As a result, a new condition of approval (Condition No. 5) was read into the records by Ms. Flores that states adult supervision shall be required for all students using the public restroom. Condition No. 5. Adult supervision shall be required for all students when using the public restrooms. MOTION 2. It was moved by Commissioner Chan, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to adopt Resolution No. 2054 – Approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 20-01, as amended, with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) to allow a tutoring center with up to 12 students at 20 East Foothill Boulevard, Unit 216 ROLL CALL AYES: Vice Chair Wilander, Chan, and Thompson 3 4-28-20 NOES: None ABSENT: Chair Lewis, and Lin 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, May 11, 2020. Please send Appeal applications to Planning@ArcadiaCA.gov or contact the Planning Division at (626) 574-5423. All decision letters are posted on the City’s website. 3. Resolution No. 2053 – Approving Multiple Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 19- 01 and Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 19-02 (82694) with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) for a three-unit multi-family residential condominium development at 9828 East Naomi Avenue Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2053 Applicant: Eric Tsang, on behalf of the property owner, Noel Park, LLC. Vice Chair Wilander introduced the item and turned it over to Senior Planner Luis Torrico to present the staff report. Commissioner Thompson requested clarification from Ms. Flores as to why the subject property has a 4-digit address when the neighboring property has a 3-digit address. Ms. Flores responded and stated that the subject property was once under the County of Los Angeles jurisdiction and was subsequently annexed into the City. Each condominium will be assigned a new address by the Building Official during the plan check process, and will be in line with the existing addresses. Vice Chair Wilander opened the public hearing. Vice Chair Wilander asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in favor of the proposal. There were no calls received in favor of the proposal. Vice Chair Wilander asked if the Applicant would like to speak on the item. Applicant Eric Tsang responded. Vice Chair Wilander asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in opposition of the proposal. Three neighboring residents spoke in opposition to the item, and one email received from the Golden West Homeowners Association Board of Directors was read into the record by Ms. Flores.  Pat Amos – Ms. Amos expressed concerns related to traffic congestion, parking, and privacy. She also was concerned with potential noise during construction, especially given the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Agnes Chang – Ms. Chang also expressed concerns with traffic and parking on the street, as well as water supply concerns.  Henry Chen – Mr. Chen was concerned with the limited parking on the street and referenced a recent car accident on the street involving a legally parked car. He 4 4-28-20 was also concerned that the height of the building was too high and it will block the sunlight. Mr. Tsang responded and stated that he has minimized the impact of the project by proposing the minimum number of units allowed per Code, at three (3). Additionally, there are two (2) driveways to service the units. He stated that the building next door is approximately 30-feet in height, which is only three (3) feet less that the proposed structure. With regard to construction during the pandemic, the project will still need to go through Building plan check, and therefore construction will not begin for approximately four (4) months. Commissioner Chan asked Mr. Tsang if he would install emergency lighting in the stairwells in case of a power outage. Mr. Tsang responded that he will install stairwell lighting. MOTION - PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Chan to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION Commissioner Chan understands the objections from the neighbors. He visited the site, and unfortunately there will always be concerns when multiple units are proposed to replace a single unit. Privacy will always be an issue for neighboring property owners but the property owner is within their rights to build. Staff was diligent about working with the applicants to minimize potential impacts careful window placement, but that is not always possible. Commissioner Thompson stated that he was pleased that the garage sizes exceed the minimum requirement per Code; more storage space and larger garages may help reduce the need for on- street parking. The trees will help to screen the subject property from the one-story residences to the south. In addition, the site is adjacent to a multi-family development (to the east) with comparable or even greater intensity. He thought the modern design will fit in well with the neighborhood, and there is an easement that sets the property back from the adjacent property. He is inclined to approved the project with Commissioner Chan’s addition of a conditional of approval to require emergency lighting in the stairwell, if Staff thinks that is appropriate. Ms. Flores stated that Staff will ensure that the emergency lighting is incorporated into the plans during plan check, rather than require it as a new condition of approval since the request is not a land use requirement, it is usually within the purview of the Building Code. . Vice Chair Wilander acknowledged the neighbor’s comments and noted that although the site is currently occupied by a single - family home, the area is zoned R-3 (High Density Multiple Family Residential), to allow for multi-family developments such as this one. The Applicant has proposed a thoughtful design, which features garage sizes that exceed the minimum required per Code. In addition, the City retains the right to delay construction city-wide - rather than on a case by case basis - if they determine it to be necessary given the pandemic. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Chan to adopt Resolution No. 2053 - Approving Multiple Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 19-01 and Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 19-02 (82694) with a Categorical Exemption under the California 5 4-28-20 Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) for a three-unit multi-family residential condominium development at 9828 East Naomi Avenue. ROLL CALL AYES: Vice Chair Wilander, Chan, and Thompson NOES: None ABSENT: Chair Lewis, and Lin 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, May 11, 2020. Please send Appeal applications to Planning@ArcadiaCA.gov or contact the Planning Division at (626) 574-5423. All decision letters are posted on the City’s website. 4. Resolution No. 2052 – Approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 20-05 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) for a new bar and lounge at 57 Wheeler Avenue, Unit D Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2052 Applicant: Joe A. Renteria, Applicant and Business Owner Vice Chair Wilander introduced the item and turned it over to Associate Planner Christine Song to present the staff report. Vice Chair Wilander opened the public hearing and asked if the Applicant would like to speak on the item. Applicant Joe A. Renteria responded. Vice Chair Wilander asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in favor of the proposal. There were no calls received in support of the proposal. Vice Chair Wilander asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in opposition of the proposal. There were no calls received in opposition to the proposal. MOTION- PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Commissioner Chan, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION Commissioner Thompson thought the proposal will be an excellent use for the site, as it will complement the pedestrian friendly goals of the Downtown Mixed Use Zone, with its close proximity to the Metro Gold Line Transit Plaza. 6 4-28-20 Vice Chair Wilander was in agreement with Commissioner Thompson and added that she is pleased that there is a reciprocal parking arrangement between the subject site and adjacent site, and she wished the Applicant well in his venture. Commissioner Chan asked staff what the process would be if the Applicant would like to extend the hours of operation beyond 12 a.m. on the weekends. Ms. Flores explained that the Applicants would have to apply for an Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to extend their hours of operation. However, the Commission may place a condition that extended hours can be handled through a Minor Use Permit (MUP) instead, but up to a certain time since this is the typical process for extended late hours. If the Commission supported this idea, then Ms. Flores suggested a MUP up to 1:00 a.m., and then anytime past 1:00 a.m. would be subject to an Amendment to the CUP. The Commission was in agreement to amend Condition of Approval No. 3 and Assistant City Attorney read the amended condition into the record as follows: Condition No. 3: The business hours shall be limited to 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. midnight, daily. If the Applicant requests to extend the hours of operation to 1:00 a.m., the Applicant may apply for a Minor Use Permit. Any request beyond 1:00 a.m., shall be subject to an Amendment to this Conditional Use Permit. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Chan, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to adopt Resolution No. 2052 – Approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 20-05 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) for a new bar and lounge at 57 Wheeler Avenue, Unit D, as amended. ROLL CALL AYES: Vice Chair Wilander, Chan, and Thompson NOES: None ABSENT: Chair Lewis, and Lin 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, May 11, 2020. Please send Appeal applications to Planning@ArcadiaCA.gov or contact the Planning Division at (626) 574-5423. All decision letters are posted on the City’s website. CONSENT CALENDAR 5. Minutes of the April 14, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission Recommendation: Approve It was moved by Commissioner Chan, seconded by Commissioner Thompson to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2020 Planning Commission Regular Meeting. ROLL CALL AYES: Vice Chair Wilander, Chan, and Thompson NOES: None 7 4-28-20 ABSENT: Chair Lewis, and Lin MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISON Council Liaison Chandler was not present. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSONERS Vice Chair Wilander asked for an update on the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. Ms. Flores stated that she does not have an update at this time. MATTERS FROM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY Assistant City Attorney Maurer provided an update on pending land use legislation and legislation related to COVID- 19. The State legislature is set to resume on May 4, 2020 with social distancing protocols in place. MATTERS FROM STAFF INCLUDING UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Flores announced there are no items pending for the May 12 meeting, so this meeting will be adjourned to May 26. For the May 26 meeting, there are two (2) items scheduled: A Homeowner’s Association appeal, and a state requirement that requires all cities to analysis traffic differently from Level of Service (LOS) to Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT). Lastly, the environmental documents for the Artis Senior Living Care Facility and the Huntington Plaza mixed use project will be available online tomorrow for their review. They are scheduled for the June 23, 2020 Planning Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting at 4:20 p.m. to Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber for the next virtual meeting. Deborah Lewis Chair, Planning Commission ATTEST: Lisa Flores Secretary, Planning Commission