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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-8-2020 PC MinutesARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 CALL TO ORDER Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. She also informed the public of a call-in number that was established for public comments. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chair Lewis PRESENT (Via telephone): Vice Chair Welander, Chan, Lin, and Thompson ABSENT: None SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Planning & Community Development Administrator Lisa Flores had no supplemental information. PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person) There were none. PUBLIC HEARING Resolution No. 2067 — Approving Planning Commission Administrative Modification No. PC AM 20-01 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") for an Updated Parking Plan at the Arcadia Hub Shopping Center located at 1201 to 1325 S. Baldwin Avenue and 733, 745 and 815 W. Naomi Avenue. Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2067 Applicant: Baldwin Arcadia Center, LP Chair Lewis introduced the item and turned it over to Senior Planner Luis Torrico to present the staff report. Commissioner Chan inquired about employee parking and the possibility of conducting another parking survey should a new tenant occupy the 26,000 square foot unit that was formerly Baby Depot. Mr. Torrico explained that staff will have to re-evaluate the Parking Plan but that particular unit currently has direct access to parking area G, which has 215 parking spaces and was excluded from the current parking supply. Commissioner Thompson inquired about the calculations for the parking rate and expressed concern that the current number of available spaces at peak demand was quite low. 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. Mr. Torrico stated that the original Parking Plan had 221 parking spaces with a peak parking demand rate of 1.85 spaces. Under this current study, there are less available parking spaces, 147 spaces total; therefore, the peak parking demand rate is now 2.12 spaces for the existing gross floor area. Deputy Development Services Director/City Engineer, Mr. Phil Wray added that according to the current parking survey, the Center's parking lot is well under-utilized given that only 669 spaces were occupied at peak usage. He explained that staff were conservative and included safety factors into the calculation, which produced a lower number. Staff are comfortable that even when all 147 spaces are used, there should still be no problem with parking at the Center. Vice Chair Wilander inquired as to how the 45 -minute parking limit is enforced. Mr. Torrico stated that the Center has an on-site security guard to enforce the time limits. Chair Lewis opened the public hearing and asked if the Applicant would like to speak on the item. Applicant Tony Chen responded and explained the challenges that businesses are faced with because of the COVID-19 pandemic and he expressed his support for the Updated Parking Plan. Chair Lewis asked if there was any caller on the line to comment on the proposal. There were no callers for this agenda item. MOTION- PUBLIC HEARING It was moved by Vice Chair Wilander, seconded by Commissioner Chan to close the public hearing. Without objection, the motion was approved. DISCUSSION Commissioner Chan noted that as long as there is an opportunity to revisit the parking situation during the five-year term, he is in favor of the proposal. Commissioner Lin stated that he has not observed any parking issue at the Center from his personal experience and expressed sympathy to the businesses that are suffering as a result of COVID-19. He is in favor of the proposal. Commissioner Thompson added the findings were well written and supports the facts in the staff report. He stated that the study is fairly conservative and this type of five-year analysis will help streamline the approval process for tenant activity. He is in favor of the proposal. Vice Chair Wilander acknowledged that it was appropriate to modify the basic requirement after five years and that the study and staffs analysis were well done. MOTION It was moved by Vice Chair Wilander, seconded by Commissioner Lin to adopt Resolution No. 2067, approving Planning Commission Administrative Modification No. PC AM 20-01 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQK) for an updated 12-8-20 parking plan at the Arcadia Hub Shopping Center located at 1201 to 1325 S. Baldwin Avenue and 733, 745 and 815 W. Naomi Avenue. ROLL CALL AYES: Chair Lewis, Vice Chair Wilander, Chan, Lin, and Thompson NOES: None ABSENT: None There is a ten day appeal period after the adoption of the Resolution. Appeals are to be filed by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2020. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. Minutes of the October 27, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission Recommendation: Approve It was moved by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Vice Chair Wilander to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2020 Planning Commission Regular Meeting. ROLL CALL AYES: Chair Lewis, Vice Chair Wilander, Chan, Lin, and Thompson NOES: None ABSENT: None DISCUSSION 3. Discussion Regarding Protected Trees Recommendation: Report, Discuss, and Provide Direction Chair Lewis introduced the item and turned it over to Ms. Flores Ms. Flores stated that the reason for the discussion is to determine if the conditions the City has in place today under the Tree Ordinance is sufficient. She recalled that in September 2020, a condition was placed on a new development project that required a bond from the Applicant. Should any newly planted trees fail over time, the bond will cover related expenses, replace the tree, and the responsibility will not be placed on the future property owner. The condition required $5,000 for every tree. In this case, a bond of $20,000 was required for the four trees. Ms. Flores noted that with the exception of a couple of isolated cases, the City has not received any reported complaints or illegal removals since 2017. She explained that most of the developers and realtors that work in Arcadia are aware that tree protection is a sensitive issue in the City and that most property owners are conscientious about contacting Planning Services and acquiring a permit before performing any type of tree work. Ms. Flores discussed the four typical conditions of approval recommended by staff any time there is a tree being removed to accommodate a new development; and they are: 1) Tree replacements; 2) Verification during plan -check; 3) A Certified Arborist must be required on-site during 12-8-20 construction, and 4) A Certified Arborist must submit a follow-up report that the work is complete prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. In addition to these four conditions, Ms. Flores stated that staff can also require another follow-up report within twelve months after a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. Ms. Flores explained that the City currently has an entire code section dedicated to enforcement, penalties, and remedies where staff can impose a fine on a property owner if a healthy protected tree was illegally removed, suspend a building permit or issue a stop work order if mitigation measures were not satisfied, or a combination of both. With these enforcement methods already in place, Ms. Flores posed the question of whether a new condition of requiring a bond of $5,000 deposit for every protected tree should be added. Commissioner Chan stated that his only concern is that once the units are occupied and the LLC dissolves, the new property owner might inherit a problem if a tree fails in the future. But, since the City and Planning Services already have several options when it comes to protecting trees, he is fine requiring a bond on an as -needed basis for new developments in the future. Commission Lin stated that this was a good report. Commissioner Thompson stated that a bond policy seems excessive at this time and the existing methods used by Planning Services are adequate to safeguard the development process. Vice Chair Wilander stated that requiring a bond for a protected tree is an appropriate measure and, while research should be done to determine the bond amount, $5,000 is a good start. Chair Lewis agreed that requiring a bond as a policy is not necessary at this time but on an as - needed basis going forward is a good idea. The Commission agreed to not change the tree process, and a bond may be required on an as needed basis. PLANNING COMMISSION REORGANIATION 4. Planning Commission Reorganization Recommended Action: It is recommended the Secretary initiate the procedure for the reorganization of the Planning Commission. Ms. Flores called for nominations for Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair. Chair Lewis nominated Vice Chair Wilander to the position of Chair, seconded by Commissioner Lin. Commissioner Thompson nominated Commissioner Lin to the position of Vice Chair. The nominations carried with no objections. Marilynne Wilander was appointed as the new Chair of the Planning Commission and Zi Lin was appointed as Vice Chair. The new Chair and Vice Chair will assume their roles effective January 1, 2021. 12-8-20 MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISON Council Liaison Cheng announced that there will be a Homeless Resource Hub town hall meeting at the Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course on December 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and invited the Planning Commission to attend. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSONERS There was none. MATTERS FROM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY Assistant City Attorney Maurer had no matters to report but noted that he is anticipating an interesting legislative session where new bills will be introduced in the near future. MATTERS FROM STAFF INCLUDING UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Flores reported there are two items pending for the December 22, 2020 meeting. She also announced that Senior Planner Luis Torrico will help run the next meeting as she will be on vacation. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m. to Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber for the next virtual meeting. ATTEST: rl 1 l Planning Commission Deborah Lewis Chair, Planning Commission 5 12-8-20