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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 25, 1988 . . , Planning Commission proceedings are taped recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Department. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PlANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, October 25, 1988 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, October 25, 1988 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia. City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairman LImy Papay presiding. PLEDGE OF ALlEGIANCE ROLLCALL: PRESENT; ABSENT: Commissioners Hedlund, Szany, Papay Commissioners' Amato, Clark MOllON It wasmo\led by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to excuse Commissioners Amato and Clark from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MINUTES MOTION II was moved by Commissioner Hedlund. seconded by Commissioner $zany to approve the Minutes of October 11, 1988 as published. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilwoman Mary Young City Attorney Michael Miller Associate Planner Wilfred Wong Associate Planner Corkran. Nicholson Secretary Silva Vergel . . - - - . _. _,_ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .'w w_w _.w _ _ _ _ " . . The City Atiorney announced that the City Charter requires that for any action to be adopted' or approved a majority of the entire membership must vote in favor of the particular motion. If the required three votes are not obtained the motion would fail. If the required three votes are not obtained (1) an applicant may request continuance and it is up to the Commission to decide whether or not they want to grant it; (2) the matter could be heard and then deferred for final decision pending participation of the absent members as long as they review the records of this proceedings which would be made available to them or (3) the matter could simply go forward to the City Council. - - - - - - - - _._ - - - - _._ W'W _ _ _ _ _ _ _ w"w _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING MP88-025 37 Alice St. Addy Chan Assoc. for Nick Eftekhari Consideration of modifications for a proposed 2-unit residential project. Staff stated that the architect for the applicant has requested that the public hearing for this item be continued to the Commission's January 10, 1989 meeting and noted that.the revised plans have not been submitted to the Planning Department for its review. New public hearing notices will be sent out for the abOve meeting. MOTlOIII it was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Szany to continue the public hearing to the Commission's January 10, 1989 meeting. ROLL CALl: AYES: ro:S: ABSENT: Commissioners Hedlund, Szany, Papay None Commissioners Amato, Clark - - - - - - - - - .. - - - - - - - - - - '. - - ->0- _ _ _ _. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Commissioner Amato came at 8:00 p.m. and didn't participate in the public hearing for T.P.M. 88'018 since he was not present during the public hearing process of this item. - - - - - - - - - - - - - .'. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ .'. - - PUBLIC HEARING T.P.M. 88-018 449 W. Norman Ave. Gilbert Engineering for Virginia Frances Miller Consideration of a tentative parcel map and 101 width modifications for a lot split to create two new parcels (65.68 and 65.69 feet wide in lieu of 75.00 feet) from one existing parcel. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Ed Eckert. Gilbert Engineering, 3820 E. Colorado, Pasadena, the engineer of the project stated that even though the lots don't .meet the minimum requirement. If this subdivision was approved it would be compatible with most of the '?ts in the immediate area. HEi said that they don't have a Arcadia City Planning Commission October 25, 1988 Page. 2 . . design for the homes yet and remarked that they would comply with the setback regulations. He was in agreement with the conditions in the staff report. Harold Ellis, 1504 S. Eighth, spoke against the lots split. He felt that the owner could keep the lot and build a new house without subdividing. HE! didn't think that this would cause any hardship to the owner and said that there are no extraordinary circumstances that justify the lot split. He felt that the applicant hasn't shown a reasonable cause for the lot split and asked that the Commission deny the .Iot.split. In rebuttal. Mr. Eckert commented that the lots will be substandard but will be physically suitable to build homes. The homes will be single-family homes and will be consisteni with the surrounding area. Majority of the lots in the area. are the same width and asked that the Commission approve the lot split. He said that they would try and save the oak trees on the lot and would try and design the homes around the existing trees on the lot. MOTlO'-l It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Szany said that the new development across the street from the subject property is a low profile development and if ihe new homes on the new lots were similar, it would probably be a nice development. He felt that if the Commission approved the lot split they should limit the homes to single-family homes with height limitation of 20' and that they should also meet the setback requirements. Chairman Papay was concerned about developments on 65' wide lots but thought that if they were. to impose the conditio,n suggested by Commissioner Szany it would be acceptable. He asked the City Attorney if the Commission can limit the height of the new homes and to try and keep them to single-story homes. Mike Miller felt that it would be a reasonable condition and suggested to open the hearing and to ask the applicant if this would be acceptable 10 him. Commissioner Hedlund felt that the 75' minimum width requirement should be complied with. MOTION . It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to re-open the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Mr. Eckert remar1<ed Ihat he hasn't discussed the design of the homes with the applicant but assumed that the applicant would be in agreement with that condition. He. also stated that there is plenty of space, after the lot split, to build a reasonable size home with adequate yard space. Michael D'Agala, 633 W. Norman, spoke in favor of the lot split. He stated that two new homes in the area will be a good improvement and would be consistent with the existing development in the area. MOllON It was moved by CommissionerSzany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Arcadia City Planning Commission October 25, 1988 Page 3 . . MIke Miller commented that Commissioner Amato should not participate in this item since he has missed most of the discussion and the public hearing. However, if the item was continued and he had adequate time to review the material and the minutes then it would be appropriate for him to vote. MQll(X\j It was moved by Commisslorer Szany, seconded by Commissioner Papay to approve T.P.M, 88-018 subject to the conditions in the staff report with the additional conditions that the new homes be limited to single-story' and not exceed 20' in height, to try and save as many trees as possible and that a covenant be recorded to keep the homes as single-story. ROLL CALL: AYES: IllES: ABSENT: Commissioners Szany. Papay Commissioner Hedlund Commissioners Amato. Clark The lot split was denied due to not meeting the prerequisite number of votes. There is a ten day appeal period. PUBLIC HEARING MP 88-028 330 Ei Dorado St. John K. Woo on behalf of EI Dorado Investment Group The staff report was presented. Staff commented that one of the requested modifications is for the distance between buildings; It was noted that the 5'setback for the trash enclosure and the storage complies with the R-2 regulations and said that the .decoratlve block wall is a requirement around the perimeter of .the property. Consideration of modifications for an ll-unit residential condominium. The public hearing was opened. John Woo. one of Ihe .general partners of EI Dorado Investment Group. 150 LOs Robles. Pasadena, said that they have read arid are in agreement with the conditions!n the staff report. Steven Searfoss, 402EI Dorado, spoke in favor of the new development and commented that he has a large oak tree on his lot which hangs over .the subject property approximately 15' and asked if the new units would be located such that they didn't interfere with the iree. The tree is very high but it enhances the property. Staff said Ihat,there is a 10' side yard setback and suggested a professional tree trimming service to take care of the problem. The height of the new buildings would be approximately 28'-30'. Arcadia City Planning Commission October 25, 1988 Page 4 . . MOllON It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. The consensus of the Commission was favorable. MOllON It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve MP 88-028 subject to the conditions in the staff report with the additional condition that the oak tree located on the property to the east be considered in locating the new units and that it be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Department. ROLL CALL: AYES: r-o:s: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato,. Hedlund, Szany, Papay None Commissioners Clark There is a five working day appeal period. - - - - -~- - - - - - - - - - - - - - .-. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PUBLIC HEARING C.U.P. 88-025 Lot 1600 of Chicago Park Tract Don Rohrer Consideratiol! of a conditional use permit and 101 size modification (3,210 sq. ft. in lieu of 15.000 sq. ft.) for outdoor industrial storage. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Don Rohrer, 84 Arthur, the applicant commented that he would like to purchase this single-lot. He remarked thaHhe owner ofthe subject lot doesn't own any other adjoining lots so it would be very difficult'for him 10 try and purchase adjOining lots to increase the size. He commented Ihat the owners of the lots to the east and the west )Nould probably not sell because they are presently meeting the requirement and ifthey were to sell to would not be in compliance. He remarked that in the past four years he has had to relocate his business several times and he would like to find a place and stay there and be able to park hisequipments and trucks. He stated thaHhis lothas no potential for future development because it is in the middle of lots that. have been deveioped. MOllON It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Hedlund said that this would be taking a step back and said that it defeats the intent in accomplishing the use of the area. Commissioner Szany felt that a larger lot would be better and approving the request would not meet the City's intent for the area. CommiSsioner Amato agreed. Arcadia City Planning Commission October 25, 1988 Page 5 . . Chairman Papay thought that this might create a land use problem in the future. M01laIl It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to deny C.U.P. 88-025. ROLL CALL: AYES: r-.OO: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund,Szany, Papay None Commissioners Clark There is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. - - - - ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... - - ... ... ... .. ... ... ... - ... ... ... -.'" ... ... - ... ... ... ... ... ... PUBLIC HEARING MP 88-029 936 Hugo Reid Dr. Dennis and Roberta Marolt Consideration of an appeal of the Santa Anita Village Architectural Review Board's conditional approval for proposed addition to the existing garage. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Dennis Marolt, 936 Hugo Reid Dr., commented that at the ARB's meeting the ARB was against the addilion with the requested setback. In the letter from the ARB however, it is noted that they are also agalnstthe suggested material that will be used. He commented that the material will be compatible with the existing house and the garage. He explained that It is more logical to build the addition with the 3' setback, which would make it in line with the existing garage and would extend 7 t /2' from the garage. He remarked that all his neighbors are in favor of the requested setback and he thought that he would be maintaining thearehitecture of the area. The .nearest structure to the addition will be at least 40' away and he felt that the addition would not be out of character, He CQmmented that to place the addition 2' back from the existing garage setback. would create a gap which would be unused space and would probably lOok awkward. He indicated that during the ARB meeting he invited the ARB members to inspect the propertY and the ARB refused. Charles George, 331 S. Old Ranch, ARB member, explained thatJhe ARB's Intent was to determine If the addition with the requested setback would be In harmony, proportion and compatible with the ~rea. The setback would be inconsistent and the applicant hasn't shown a reason for it. They fell that the only reason.he has requested it is so the addition would not encroach into his backyard. He felt that the building material should match with the existing structures on the lot. Steven Philllpl, 804 Balboa, President of the HOA. said that the ARB usually meets once a month and reviews about 3 similar type requests at each meeting., In most cases the request is due to certain circumstances but in this case there should be no reason why the applicant can not comply with the established regulations. The ARB has adopted a policy that all setbacks should be complied with unless there are certain circumstances which prevent that. Some additions have been approved with a 3' setback but only in cases where the addition would not be possible without the modification on the setback. Mike Miller stated that the policy adopted by the HOA Is not valid and should be discontinued. The HOA doesn't have the authority to make policies and can not delegale that power. Arcadia City Planning Commission October 25, 1988 Page 6 . . Commissioner Amato asked Mr. Phillipi if he is aware that they have set precedent by approving similar type requests which have been illustrated in Exhibits B & D. In reply, Mr. Phillipi said that their conditional approval was based on the structure being in harmony, proportion and compatible with the area. He further stated they try to stick to the 5' s.etback but approve modifications if a hardship is created. They try to maintain the integrity of the neighborhood. In rebuttal, Mr. Marolt said that by placing the addition 2' back from the garage he would be creating a zig zag appearance which would be aesthetically unpleasing, He commented that the addition is much too far from any neighbors and reiterated that all the adjoining neighbors are in favor of the requested setback. MOTION It was moved by CommissionerSzany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Amato didn't think that 2' was a big request and felt that the Commission should approve the appeal. . Commissioner Hedlund thought that the ARB Is being short sited and felt that the request Isa legitimate one. Commissioner Szany commented that due to the height of the wall, he didn't think that if the addition was at 5', it would make much of a difference and would not be visible from the adjoining properties. Chairman Papay felt that all the adjoining properties are in favor of the request and he couldn1 see why the request should be denied. He remarked that if the property was not in a homeowner's association area the applicant would be able to go through the administrative modification procedure and have his request approved. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve MP 88-029 subject to the conditions in the st!lff report with the additional condition that the exterior treatment of the addition shall match the existing garage (roof and stucco). ROLL CALL: AYES: lIaS: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Papay None Commissioners Clark There is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - .. .. - - .. .. - .. -.- .. .. .. - .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. AUDIENCE. PARTICIPATION Jack Saelld, 821 Balboa, stated thaI he resides in the Village and commended the ARB and the HOA. He fell that the Commission should have upheld the ARB's decision and was concerned about all the Arcadia City Planning Commission October 25, 1988 Page 7 . . . development that is being taken place in the City. He praised the Commission for trying to improve the Codes and the City in trying to maintain the City's character. Chairman Papay said that In most lIpp!lal cases, the Commission has tried to uphold the ARB's decision, if possible. At the Commission's last meeting, the Commission was reviewing a text amendment in regard to percentage of lot coverage and Mr. Kovacic, representing the Village, recommended a maximum of 40% lot coverage and the Commission recommended approval of the text amendment to the City Council with the suggested lot coverage. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -'- MATTERS FROM COUNCIL Councilwoman Young commented that at the last Council meeting the Council held a public hearing in regard to the DEIR forthe landfill and commended Mayor Harbicht In the way he handled the public hearing. She remarked that there were representatives from Glendora, Baldwin Park, Azusa and Duarte. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION Commissioner Hedlund Indicated that he has noticed that many of the car dealerships are moving closer to the freeway and remarked that he has noticed that many of the foothill communities are adopting ordinances limiting developments to preserve the views. MATTERS FROM STAFF None ADJOURNMENT 9:15 p.m. f. .,i') ;'-'J I/.+', .J '.{)li".I:A/)'/Wf..J f..I lfil)'1/X(./X.. - Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission October 25, 1988 Page 8