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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARCH 22, 1988 . , . . Planning Canmission Minutes are tape recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Department. M I NUT E S ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR ME ETI NG Tuesday, March 22, 1988 The Planning Canmission of the City of Arcadia, met in regular session on Tuesday, March 22, 1988 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Hunti ngton Dri ve, with Chai nnan Dave Szany pres idi ng. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Clark, Szany ABSENT: Commissioner Papay MonON It was moved by Commfssioner Hedlund, seconded by Commi ssioner Amato to excuse Canmissioner Papay from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MINUTES MOnON It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve the Minutes of March 8, 1988 as published. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MonON It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Amato to read all resolutions by title only and waiv,e reading the full body of the resolution. OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilman Dennis Lojeski City Attorney Michael Miller Director of Planning William Woolard Associate Planner Corkran NichOlson Assistant Planner James Kasama Secretary S11 va Vergel --~----------------------------------~ . . " The City Attorney 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 coul,d be heard and then deferred for final deci s ion pendi ng part iclpat ion of the absent members as 10n9 as they rev; ew the records of this proceeding which would be made available to them or (3) the matter coul d simply go forward to the City Council. -----~-------------------------------- PUBLIC HEARING T.M. 46221 1109-1127 S. Si xth Ave. Mur-So 1., Inc. Considerati~n of a tentative map to create a new cul-de-sac with six sing'le-family lots. . . , The staff report was presented Staff explained that there are several mature pine trees on the lot and a tree preservation plan would be required. Commissioner Hedlund stated that he would prefer the driveways on lots 1 and 6 to face the cul-de-sac instead of Sixth Avenue. The public hearing was opened. Richard Ru;z, President of Mur-Sol, Inc., .125 Wheeler, said that there are 4 single-family dwellings on the lot and orie old dwelling has already been demoli shed. There would bel net new home on the pr.oject. He commented that the new homes will meet the new regulations and noted that they could have proposed 7 hc.ines but they didn't so the development would be more compatible. He submitted a map to the Commission that had outlined tW9-story homes in the area. In response to Commissioner Hedlund's comment, Mr. Ruiz remarked that he didn't know where the driveways on lots 1 and 6 would face. He commented that if the Commission would like to make that a condition of approval they will comply. He statedtha-t thTs cul-de-sac would be very similar to Tiffany. Terrace. Richard Orchid, 1212 S.ixth, spoke against the development. He said that he surveyed the nei ghborhood and 90% of the peopl e whom he spoke with were agai nst the project and they signed the petition which was submitted to the Commission. The only people that did not object to the development were the property owners involved in the development. He felt that this would radically change the character of their neighborhood, will increase population and traffic. He commented that the chil dren that will resid,e in the new homes will go to Cami no Grove school which is already congested. He urged the Commission to deny the request. Arcadi a Ci ty Planning Commi ssion 3/22/88 Page 2 . . Ted t.azicki. 1136 S. Sixth. agreed with Mr. Orchard. He felt that this would oniy serve to enrich the developer. He said that there are too many large homes on small lots. In his opinion Arcadia is beginning to look like the "rich man"s getto" and asked the Commission to deny the request. Ron Clemins, 529 E. La Sierra, object to the project. He said that they are dJrectly to the south of the development and the new homes would probably obstruct h.is view of the mOlintains and would drastically affecJ; their lifestyle and they wi 11 lose thei r privacy. He said that if the project i sapproved the Commission should condition the houses facing Sixth to one-story dwellings. He felt that Tiffany Terrace is a nice cul-de-sac but would not fit .in the immediate area. Judy Orchid, 1212 Sixth, commerited that their petition was signed by 48 persons, 1 party remained nutral and 1 was affraid to sign. She fert that the Envirormental Check Li st ignored the impact on popul ation in the area. She stated that people in the area are strongly opposed to the project. In response to Ms. Orchid's questions, Mike Mi.ller explained the appeal procedure. Mei Tseng, 1021 S. Sixth, was concerned about children's safety during construction of the project. In rebuttal, Mr. Ruiz reitterated that there would only be again of 1 new homes si nce there are al ready 4 homes on the lot and one was al ready destroyed. He canmented that they do meet Code and will be meet the new regulations. He anticipated that the new homes would range in size from 3800-4000 sq. ft. He stated that he spoke to the property owner to the north and after explaining the project to him he was for the development. Rob Dobble, Mur-Sol, Inc., restated the number of existing houses on each lots and said that they were used as apartments. Henry St. Angelo, 1123 S. Sixth, the property owner of the middle lot involved in the development, spoke for the ,project. He said that the new homes will improve t~e area. He cOOlmented that the two properties on either side are an eye sore. There, are many old cars parked there and many people live on the lots. The owner's do-nit live on the site and subseque'ntlj the properties are run down;- Judy Orchid, 1212 S.ixth, sympathized with Mr. St. Angelo, and asked help in enforcing property maintenance. She asked how many children would be expected to live in the new homes and asked if the new homes would be much larger than the existing dwellings. Mike Miller explained that in the ~entative map procedure a letter is send to the Arcadia Unified School District and the Pasadena City College. He stated that a Negative Declaration has been issued which would indicate that the project would not have a significant impact on the environment. Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/22/88 Page 3 . . MOTION It was moved by Commi ssioner Amato, seconded by Commi ssi oner Hedl und to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none di ssent i ng. Commissioner Hedlund commented that the subdivision meets code.' He commented that the Commission should be approving the tentative map and not what might be built on the lot. Mr. Woolard said that the area has been zoned R-l since 19405, and the development would be consistent with the General Plan. Staff explained the setback requirements. Chai rman Szany comme~ted that this tract is approximately the same size as the tract to the south wh ich has, seven lots whereas this tract wou.l d have six lots. Commissioner Clark agreed .with Commissioner Hedlund and said that the project meets Code and said that he was pleased that the new development woul d comply with the new reguJations. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve T .M. 46221 subject to the condit ions in tile staff report with the addi tional conditi on that the proposed development shoul d comply with the new buil di ng hei ght and setback back regul at ions as set forth in Ordi nance No. 1881. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany None Commissioner Papay There is a ten day appeal period. --_.----------~----------------------- PUBLIC HEARING MP 88~007 319 San Luis Rey Rd. James E. Kozak Consideration of modifications for a hobby shop to be 1,140 sq. n. in lieu of 791 sq. ft., 53% lot coverage in lieu of the requj red 25.% maximum all owed and no covered parki ng in lieu of the 2 requi red spaces. Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/22/88 Page 4 . . The staff report was presented. In answer to Commissioner Hedlund's question, staff said that if the application is approved the applicant would be required to obtain the necessary permits. The public hearing was opened. James Kozak, 319 San Luis Rey Rd., said that his property is enclosed with fencing on all sides and the building is not visible from adjacent properties. The structure was built as a temporary building and is a hobby shop. He commented that the structure would not pass building inspection and would probably have to be redesigned. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public heari ng. The motion passed by voice v.ote with none di ssenti ng. Commissioner Hedlund commented that the garage cannot be utilized. Chai rman Szany was concnered with the garage and that there is no parki ng. He commented that many new homes now have 3 or 4 car garages and this one woul d have none. Mr. Miller explained that if the Commission denies the request. the applicant can appeal to the City Council. Commissioner Clark felt that the modifications are too extensive. In answer to Commissioner Amato's question, staff said that it seems as if the structure has been built well but if it is approved it would hav.e to be reduced in size to provide for a garage. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to deny MP 88~007 .w1th the fi ndi ngs that U would ,not.secure ,anappropri.ate improvement and would not create uniformity of development. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABS ENT: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany None Commissioner Papay Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/22/88 Page 5 . . There is a five working day appeal period. PUBLIC HEARING MP 88-008 1435 N. Baldwin Ave. Maher M. Hathout, M.D. Cons ideration of an appeal of the Rancho Santa Anita Architectural Review Board's denial of a 6'_0" high wrought iron fence in the front and street side yards. Modification for said fence to be 6'_0" high in lieu of the 4'_0" maximum allowed within front, street side and spacial setbacks. The staff report was presented. Staff commented that a 4' wrought iron fence would not require a permit but would require the ARB's approval. The public hearing was opened. Maher M. Hathout, M.D., 1435 N. Baldwin, the applicant was present. He stated that t~e fence is partially erected and said that he stopped the construction when the ARB deni eel the request. The fence is fa r security reasons. The adjoi ni ng property owners have approved the fence . He felt that hi s request is reasonable under the circumstances. Martin Wright, 1434 Santa Margarita, said that he would be in favor of the fence as long as it complies. He asked the Commission to condition the approval to conceal the fence with shrubbery. MonON It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none di ssent ing. Commissioner Hedlund wondered i,f 6' high shurbbery would comply and didn't think that security is_good eno~gh reason to approve the_app~al. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to re- open the public hearing. Dr. Hathout commented that the security company that he contacted suggested a 6' high fence. Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/22/88 Page 6 I , , . . ,.,OTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Clark to close the pUblic heai ng. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Mr. Woolard said that the landscaping would have to meet the visibility standards and the Commission can require it where it would not interfere with visibility. Commissioner Clark said that he visited the site and noted that the fence is set back from the side street and felt that 1andscapi ng wou1 d soften the fence. Mr. Miller thought that this might set a. precedent and security is not a land use consideration a1thought the applicant is entitled to raise it as one of the factors supporting his position. Chai rman Szany commented that the fence is acceptab1 e. Commissioner Amato cOOlmented that as long as the neighbors approve the fence he didn't object to it and felt that adequate 1andscapi ng shoul d be provided to lessen the impact of the fence. r<<JTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve MP 88-008 subject to the condition that the 1andscapi.ng shall be subject to review and the approval of the Planning Department. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENr: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Szany Commissioner Hedlund Commissioner Papay There is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. ---~-------~-------------------------- AUDIENCE PARTl{I1'ATION Judy Orchid, 1212 S. Sixth, asked what recourse the neighbors have and how they can appeal the Commission's decision. The appeal procedure was explained in detail. Too Leslie, 1023 S. Fifth, was present. He cOOlmented that a while back the Commission approved Scott's Place that created 4 homes. He indicated that there seems to a problem with drainage. He indicated that mud and water drain to the southeast corner (his property) and in speaking with the devleoper it was noted that they complied with City standards. Arcadi a City Pl anning Commission 3/22/88 Page 7 . , . . . . Mr. Woolard stated that he would look into the problem. After approval, the project engineer draws up the grading and drainage plans which is then approved by Public Works. -------------------------------------- RESOLUTION 1363 A resolution granting C.U.P. 88-005 to operate a church at '330 E. Duarte Road. Mr, Woolard read the title of the resolution. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to adopt Resolution 1363 and to formally affirm the decision of March 8, 1988" refl ect i ng the fi ndings of the Commi ssion and the votes thereon. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABS ENT : Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany None Commissioner Papay There is a five working day appeal period. ---------------------~-~--~----------- MATTERS FROM COUNCIL Councilman Lojeski summarized the developments in the senior citizen center and answered some of the Commissions' questions regarding the center. ~---------~--------------------------- MATTERS FROM COMMISSION None -------------------------------------- MATTERS. FROM STAFF None -------------------------------------- ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 9:30 p.m. J,iJII.b.!.f#7,j II tr!i11'f:nd. - Secretary., Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadi a Ci ty Planning Commission 3/22/88 Page 8