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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJANUARY 10, 1989 I I i I Planning C9mmission proceedings are taped recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Department. I . . MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, January 10, 1989 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, January 10, 1989 at 7:30 p,m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairman Pro-Tem Tom Clark presiding, PlEDGE OF AllEGIANCE ROLL CAlL: PRESENT: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato, Clark. Hedlund. Szany Papay MJTION Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to excuse Commissioner Papay from tonight's meeting, The motion passed by voice vote with ,none dissenting, MINUTES MJTION - It was moved by Commissioner, Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Szany to approve the Minutes of December 13, 1 988 as published, The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting, MJTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to read all resolutions by title only and waive the reading of the full body of the resolutions, The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting, OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilwoman Mary Young City Attorney Michael Miller Planni~g Director William Woolard Senior Planner Donna Butler Assistant Planner, James Kasama ~....._.._------------_._----- , , CONTINUED PUBUC HEARING M,P, 88-025 37 Alice Street Addy Chan Associates for Nick Eftekhari Consideration of modifications for a proposed 2 unit residential project p, C, Minutes 1 /t 0/89 Pags t . . The staff report was presented; staff recommended denial based upon the fact that the applicant had not resolved several Issues relative to the design of the project No one was presenl 10 speak in favor of or against the application, M:lTION MotiQncwas made by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Szany to close 'the public hearing, The mo~on passed by voice vote with none dissenting, M:lTlON Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to deny MP 88,025 with finding D3, ROLL CAlL AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato. Clark, Hediund, Szany None Commissioner Papay There is a five working day appeal period, ... .'. - - - - - - - - - - - - -.-;.. - - - ~. - - -...... -- CONTINUEO PUBUC HEARING MC 88-105 145 East 51. Joseph Street Steven, L. Janes Considera~on of a modification for a 34' pro- jection in the iront yard in lieu of 30' for a split face masonry wing wall The staff report was presented, Steve Jones, 247 North Highland Place. Monrovia. owner ofthe building at 145 East SI. Joseph indicated this would be used for his business, He noted that he did not want the wall, however, it was required to satisfy the building code, As staff pointed out, there were several other op~ons available, bUt this was the rTIosneaslble, Heihdicated that-Mr, Stewart, the adjacent property'owner, knew 'of this buttress wall at the time the foundation was being done, He advised that they wou!.d not have to take glass out of the front of the building if the wing wall wasn't there, The purpose of the wing wall was to protect the area underneath the awning which is 'considered to be an unprotected opening, The Code states thaI such an opening'which.begins within 10 feet of the side property line is required to be protected, The canopy itself meels the fire code, He Indicated the matter before the Commission is not defining the wall because tl1a1 has been defined by the Planning Department as a buttress, but the matlf3r is whether or not 34' is acceptable in lieu of 30' allowed, Maury Stewart. 1130 Oakwood Place, Sierra Madre. owner of the building at 141 St Joseph Street, spoke in OPPosition to the request. His contention was that the wall was a viola~on of the building code and did, not belong there, He noted it was damaging to his property because (1 block visibility, He felt the wall should be back In line with the other setbacks on the street; not within the front yard area, He p, C, Minutes 1/10/89 Page 2 . . thought this was part of the building, not a buttress, Mr, Stewart acknowledged that a fire wallis required, but they should have set their building back to accommodate it. Chairman Pro-Tem Clark indicated that the code allows a 30" encroachment and in terms of what the Planning Commission is addressing is whether or not the wall can encroach 4" further than what is allowed by code, Mr, Stewart indicated that a fire wall should not be permitted within the front setback, The only reason this wall is out there is because it was tacked on at the last minute and somebody didn't move the whole building back because they didn't catch It in time, The building and wall should be lined up with the other buildings on the street. t"OTION Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing, The mo~on, passed by voice vote with none dissenting, Commissioner Hedlund did not like the position that the Commission was in, They were talking about 4' and he did not like any variations to the setbacks, Commissioner Amato said he did not care for this type of situation, He felt it was an encroachment and thought it'should be deleted, Every other building on the block is in a straight line and this protrudes in front of the ,other buildings, t"OTION Motion was made by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to deny MC 88. t 05 with the 'finding that It would not secure an appropriate improvement. Commissi.oner Szany'asked If Mr, Amaio was saying was that the building should be cut back to 30"? Commissioner Amato indicated that was the only thing they have before them unless they can prove that the encroachment was wrong to begin with; right now we do not have any proof that it is, Commissioner Szany stated he agreed with Commissioner Amato, but If the only thing the Commission had before them was the 4' issue, it seemed to him that 4' was very minimal to ,have someone take out a wall or sawcut the whole wall, He disagreed with certain things and thought Mr, Stewart had been wronged, but he was not sure chopping back the wing wall would resolve the problem, Chairman Pro-Tem Clark agreed ,with Commissioner Szany, He noted the wall was there and it was allowed to gO' out 30' and 'to take-a saw and' cut off 'l"oftlie wall diifnoCrtfakena:'lot 'of'sense: Irwas not going to Improve the situation by ,taking off 4' from Mr, Stewarl's stand point. He did not like the position the City was in either, Commissioner Hedlund noted that he seconded the motion to allow for discussion but he was, not in favor of requiring Mr, Jones to cut off 4' of,the wall, They had a bad situation and he did not think itwas fair to Mr, Stewart or Mr, Jones, ROll. CAll. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioner Amato Commissioners Hedlund, Szany and Clark Commissioner Papay P. C, Minutes t/tO/89 Page 3 . . MJTION Motion was made by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Szany to approve modification M-88- t 05 with the finding that it will prevent an unreasonable hardship, ROll CAll AYES; NOES; ABSENT: , Commissioners Hedlund, Szany and Clark Commissioner Amato Commissioner Papay Chairman Pro-Tern Clark indicated that there is a five working day appeal period, PUBLIC HEARING C,U,P,.88-031 512 West Duarte Road Matlock Associates, Architects for Our Savior Lutheran Church of Arcadia Consideration of a conditional use permit to expand the existing church facilities and to use a trailer for classrooms during construction The staff report was presented, In response to a question from Commissioner Hedlund, staff indicated they were not aware of any parking problems and none had been reported, Torp Matlock, architect, Matlock & Associates, 502 West Holt, Pomona, spoke in favor of the project and indicated agreement with the conditions set forth in the staff report, Commissioner Szany indicated there was one suggestion in the staff report that if parking becomes a problem the church will attempt to schedule activities so that everything will not be scheduled at one time; would the church be willing to put a condition In to that affect? Michael Atow(?), 8688 Arcadia, spokesman for the church indicated they should not have problems with parking and they are not increasing the seating capacity, just the classrooms, The City Attorney indicated the Commission could add a condition that if this is approved that the future use of the churCh will be consistent with the way they operate at present. This would allow for the comfort level that you want. MJTION Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, ,seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to close the public hearing, The motion passed by ,voice vote with none dissenting, Commissioner Hedlund had no problems with modernizing and updating the facilities, Commissioners Amato, Szany, and Clark concurred, Commissioner Szany indicated he would like to add a condition regarding the present operation, P. C, Minutes lit 0/89 Page 4 . . MOTION Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund 10 approve C,U,P. 88'031, to approve and file the Negative Declaration and find that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and direct staff to prepare the appropriate resolution incorporation the Commission's decision, findings and conditions of approval as set forth in the staff report with the following additional condition: 'That utilization of the church's major facilities (i,e" sanctuary, fellowship hall and classrooms) shall continue in a manner that is consistent with Its previous and current practice (I.e, , non-simultaneous use). ROll. CALl. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Szany, Amato, Hedlund, Clark None Commissioner Papay There 'is a five working day appeal period aller the adoption of the resolution PUBLIC HEARiNG T,M,,47234 1715-1723 South Baldwin Avenue Steven Yuan Consideration of a tentative map to cteatea one-sided cul'de-sac with 8 new single-family lots The staff report was presented to continue the 'public hearing, MOTION Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to continue the public hearing on TM 47234 to January 24, 1 989, MOTION AYES: NONE:, ABSENT: Commissioners ,Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark None Commissioner Papay AUDIENCE-PARTICIPATION' James Fu, Arcadia High School student In the 12th grade was here for a Government class, He questioned the qua.lifications' and backgrounds of the Commissioners and asked if the Commissioners do research, prior to making a decision. Chairman Pro-Tem Clark indicated he worked for the telephone company and has been on and off the Commission for approximately ten years, He noted you learn a: lot by working the issues, In terms of preparation, prior to ,the meeting he drives around looking at'the specific sites and reads the package of information provided by staff, Also a person' has ,to have a working knowledge of the municipal code, Commissioner Hedlund indicated he was a civil engineer by trade and that it was his fourth term on the Planning Commission, His business is land development, however the qualification that is foremost is a p, C, Minutes 1/10/89 Page 5 . . person has to have an interest in their community, The Commission should ,be diverse people who are interested 'in the community, Commissioner Hedlund indicated in response to a question from Mr, FlJ that appeals go to the City Council. The City Attorney indicated that the City Council reviews everything that happens including the records of this meeting and the Council's decision Is final in terms of being a final administrative decision of the City, There is recourSe through the judicial process if the person who is denied feels that they have been treated unfairly or illegally but that rarely happens. TIME EXTENSION MP 88-001 Arcadia Gateway Centre Consideration of a 1 year lime extension ior modification requesting six monument signs in lieu of two signs allowed Commissioner Hedlund indicated he had to abstain from voting on this item because he has done work for the Arcadia Gateway Centre, M:>TkJN Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve a one year time extension for MP 88'001 to January 26, 1990, ROl.L CAl.L AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Commissioners Szany, Amato, Clark None Commissioner Hedlund Commissioner Papay TIME EXTENSION T,M, 42936 Bluth Construction Consideration of a 1 year time extension for a 22 lot subdivision north of Whispering Pines Estate Commissioner Hedlund indicated he had to abstain from voting on this item because of a conflict of interest working for the adjacent owner, M:>TION Motion was made by CommissionerSzany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to'approve a one year time extension to T,M, 42936. ROl.L CAl.L AYES: NOES: Commissioners Szany, Amato, Clark NOne p, C, Minutes 1/10/89 Page 6 . . ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Commissioner Hedlund Commissioner Papay RESOLUTION 1398 A resolution granting conditional use permit 88-030 to operate a restaurant at 1317 South Baldwin Avenue RESOLUTION 1399 A resolution granting zone variance 88'002 to convert an existing automobile service, sia.tion into a garage at 66 East Foothill Boulevard M:lTION Motion was made by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to adopt Resolutions 1398 and 1399 to formally affirm the decision of December 13, 1988, reflecting the findings of ' the Commission and the votes thereon, ROll. CAlL AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark None Commissioner Papay MATTERS FROM COUNCIL None , . -----.------------------._--- MATTERS FROM COMMISSION Commlssi,oner Hedlund questioned the status ofthe garage, at First and La Porte, He noted that, automobiles are being worked on outside and some are parked across the parkway, It seems"like nothing is being done, The Planning Director indicated that they do have a conditional use permit, however, they have not started to do any of the remodeling which was approved by the conditional use permit. It is a legal nonconforming use, , Commissioner Szany commented that-they are"still parking cars-on unpaved 'areas. Mr; Woolard said it is a policing problem and if they are stretched across the sidewalk we can get the Police out there and have them cited, MATTERS FROM STAFF The Planning Director i(1dicated there was some frustration regarding buttresses within the front yard, The code plainly states buttresses are allowed to encroach 30' into the front yard, Wwe do not want these types of solid walls in the front yard then it should be taken out of the code, There was further discussion regarding this malter, p, C, Minutes 1/10/89 Page 7 . Commissioner Hedlund requested staff to look into this, ADJOURNMENT . 8:30 p,m, " '; ", A . I. ,lJ"hl/ . 1.!i11_J/A"",1 .A.JiL~.,./.~_.4,*1..J ;< ../..I7)./.[~~{/..'(,._ Secretary oflhe Planning Commission p, C. Minutes 1It 0/89 Page 8