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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARCH 8, 1994 !~.> Planning Commission Proceedinl'e tape recorded and on file in the office Ae Planning Division. , \; MINUTES ARCADIA an pLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 8,1994 The Planning Commission of the Gty of Arcadia met in regu1arsession onTuesday, March 8, 1994 at 1:30 p.1IL in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City HaJl, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairmim Tom Oark presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: ABSENT: MOTION Commissioners Daggett, Hedlund, Huang, Kovadc, Oark None It was moved by Commissioner Kovacic, seconded by Commissioner Daggett to read all resolutions by title only and waive reading the full body of the resolution. MINUTES MOTION It was moved by CommisSioner Hedlund, seconaed by Commissioner Daggett to approve the nilnutes of February 22,1994 as published. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATIENDING: City Attorney Mi<;hael Miller Ass't Comm. Dev. Oir, Planning, Donna Butler Senior Planner Corkran Nicholson Secretary Silva Vergel PUBUC HEARING CUP 94-004 412 N. Santa Anita Ave, Robert Friedman, architect for Goldstein's Bakery Requesting a conditional use permit for a bagel bakery and restaurant with parking and. sign modifications. The staff report was presented. Staff rioted that the Redevelopment Agency approved the 'design and signnsproposed but they did not review the related sign modifications. The sign will have to go through architectural design review (ADR). The Planning Division will review the color and content of the sign through the ADR procedure. The door in the rear is a public entrance. Staff exp1aine<1 that the cut in the median allows cars traveling southbound,to turn into theaJley or to make aU' turn. Chairman Oark thought the median should be filled in. " Commissioner Daggett said the ce the median is in an awkward location 4>se anyone traveling north on Santa Anita, making a left turn into the car wash will have to drive at an angle to geno the car wash and like wise with anyone hying to turn left onto the alley going southbound on Santa Anita. In answer to Commissioner Kovacic's question, staff said that 19 on~site parldng spaces are adequate. Thlo/ specialize in bagels and most business will probably be in the morning. Staff werit on to say that the Public Works and Police Departments want the curb to be painted red, at the interSection of Santa Anita and the alley, to help mitigate any potential traffic problems. The plans presented to the'Council originally, had one drive-up window and Council suggested having two drive-up windows to expedite service and the possible problem of staCking of cars. In N Out opens at 10:30 a.m. and their peak hours are during lunch and dinner and, although staff cannot guarantee that there will not be any'traffic problems, it is'felt that if the hours are restricted, it, will not conflict with the peak hours of operation for the:In N Out. Staff said that on occasion traffic does stack-up in the alley and although it could be a conflict, staff does not anticipate a problem. This is an existing situation but it should not be further compounded. '.' The public hearing.was opened. Robert Friedman, 38 E. Montedto, Sierra Madre, representing the applicant stated, they have spent a lot oftirne and money to propose a project ilIat will blend in with the surrounding u~ and the downtown plan, He had concerns with some of the conditions of approval and said ilwould be difficult to monitor the direction of turns onto the alley and anticipated policing problem. They would not like to restrict the traffic off of the alley and would like to have the option of going east or west bound 6n the alley. As a new business, they need 10 be as flexible as possible, and restricting the hours for the drive-through will affect and possibly hinder business. They wo.uld 1i1<e to h!1vethe drive through windows open throughout the day and suggested reviewing this a few months after they have been in operation and if there is a problem, then the Commission' can place time limits on the drive up window. He went on to say that their turn around time is quick. about 60 seconds as cOmpared to In N Out which takes approximately 7 minutes.. They do not have a chef on the premises and they do nolprepare sandwiches. They have bagels only and the customers may chose from different toppings on them such as cream cheese orlOx. He thought their business might even help reduce the back up on Santa Anita, because some of In N Out's customers may drop in for a bagel which is quicker. He felt that Santa Anita Ave. is in need of business and they would.like to operate at this location and feel they have a good idea and product. At the Couricil's meeting, one.of the Councilinembers suggested having two drive-up windows to expedite service and said' they will do whatever it takes to have'a successful business. Mr. Miller thought Mr. Friedman's suggestion for a time,limit is a good one and,. rather than restricting their hours of operation, the Commission might want to review the project after they have been in business fora few months. Staff'canmonitor the situation and can report any problems. Mr. Friedman remarked that one of the Coundlmembers suggested having a sign on the back of the building. Michael and Briget Goldstein, 1975 Liliana Dr., Sierra Madre, owners oHhe proposed business, said the proposed store is larger than the one they presently have in Pasadena, which is congested. Some of the differences is that the proposed store wiD have parldng, has a bigger preparation area and the floor area is twice as large than the Pasadena Store. The' seating is basically the same. Mr. Friedman reiterated about the posting a directional sign on the alley and said he could not see how it would. be advantageous to restrict traffic and felt the customers should have the option of going either way. He noted there are residential properties along the alley and requiring their patrons to go down theaDey might be dangerous. Commissioner Kovacic said the natur-al inclination would be to go left on the alley towards Santa Anita in lieu of going right. He did not think people would use the alley. Mr. Friedman commented that their menu is affixed to the building. Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/8/94 Page 2 I, . . I( Chairman Clark remarked that he has been at the, Pasadena location and he noticed that there is always a lot of walk-ins. Mr. Goldstein stated that they have fast service and have customers from surrounding ,cities such as Arcadia and Sierra Madre. With regard to the c:!ouble doors to the north of the building, staff Said this area would provide additional parking and it is a good improvement over the existing situation, especially with the proposed planters. Staff said there are other establishments in the City, such as Carl's Jr. and McDonald's that the patrons have to go through the parking lotto get to the drive through windows. Ralph Rittenhouse, 400 N. Santa Anita, said although he is in favor of this project, he has concerns over the limited parking. He felt the City must'first resolve the current problem'with the eXcessive on-street parking along La Porte St. and Santa Anita, since the project could impose a further impact. He stated that the majority of the employees from the surrounding businesses park their vehicles on the street,. which has caUsed daily problems for his clients in finding on-street parking and access to his business when parked vehideshave bloclced his driveway. He wondered where the employees of the bakery would park? He said that In N Out creates a lot of traffic and cars are sometimes' backed up all the way to La Porte. There is never any parking available on La Porte, 'all the way to First Ave. He suggested a traffic study on the parking situation. They ha",e noticed the only day there is parking available on the street is on rainy days when some bl1Sinesses are dosed. He commented that the alley is a problem and wished there was a solutionJor the area. The business will be an asset to the area but the problems should'be resolved prior to adding more traffic to the area. He went on to say that the cut in the median is at an awkward situation and anyone traveling northbound on Santa Anita has to go at an angle to get to the car wash. He said when he built hisbuilding, he had to comply with the parking requirements arid heJiJund it difficult to understand how a modification cotild be granted for the parking. He suggested setting a timeJirnit for street parking. Mr. Rosenberg"408 N. Santa Anita, owner of the original Town Qeaners, wondered if there are too many employees for Mr. Rittenhouse's building. He said they do not want to create 'a hazardous situation. All the businesses on La Porte have parking for their employees. In reply, Mr. Rittenhouse remarked that none oEhis employees park on the street, however, his customers park on the street. . Mr. Friedman thought that their employees will beyoung and will probably be dropped ofEbytheii pal'ents or ride their bikes. TIley can obtain the permission from the church on Colorado and Santa Anita and utilize that as employee parking, if necessary. No one else spoke in favor or opposition. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Daggett, seconded by CommissionerKovacicto dose the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Kovadc said this would be an excellenlbusiness for the City but found it hard to believe that the employees would ride their bikes to their place of employmentor be dropped off by their parents. He suggested posting a notice in the break room, encouraging the employees to carpool. He thought that traffic and parking are a major concern. He did not anticipate any problems with.the drive-up windows. Commissioner Daggettwas in favor of the pro~l and suggested deleting conditions 2b and 8. He did not,think that this business should be penalized forthe.traffic.and problems ge,nerated by In N Out. To restrict the hours of driveway operations for this business because of problems from another business is inappropriate. He disagreed with Redevelopment Agency's recommendations for a sign on the east side of the building. . Arcadia City'PIanrting Commission 3/8/94 Page 3 ,\ . . Commissioner Huang agreed with Commissioner Daggett and said ,to restrict the hours of the drive-up when a business is trying to establish itse!f would bea mistake. Commissioner Hedlund Said that this is a bad intersection with major businesses at each comer. The traffic in the area is always a problem and wondered if it is neceSsary to have an open median. He did not want to create a situation, where the Commission deletes a condition which it hasto'impose ata later date. :.i Chairman Clark was in favor of allowing the drive-through window to remain open all day arid allow the Commission to review the situation at a later date. He did not want to restrict traffic on the alley. He sUggeSted closing the opening in the median which is very hazardous and wondered what purpose it serves, since anyone utilizing this turn lane would have to go at an angle to get to the other side. Ms. Butler Said staff can forward the Commission's recommendation to the Public Works Deparbnent. This will have to be referred 10 the Council. Commissioner Hedlund sUggeSted limiting the hours of on street parking. He does not know of ariymajor intersection, in any other city, with SO many successful businesses, with' all day street parking. He would vote in favor of the project'with reservation particularly in case of the parking. Mr. Miller Said that as an advisory body, the Commission can make recommendations which staff will forward to the Council. In its motion, the Commission can bring back the project for a revieW after. the certificate ofoccupancy has,been granted to review'all issues of concern such as parking and traffic circulation. It was the consensus of the Commission that the proposed useis appropriate for the site; ,however, ,they were concerned about the potential'traffic that may be generated by the new business. MOTION ltwasmoved by Commissioner Kovacic, seconded by Commissioner Daggett to: 1. Eliminate for the time being conditions 2b and 8, without prejudice 2. That the Planning Commission r~e jurisdiction and set a hearing 3 months after the Certificate, of Occupancy is granted to revisit any and all issues regarding parking and traffic circulation and; . 3. To retain jurisdiction to impose those conditions that are. important based on evidence presented at that hearing. That the following additional conditions be added: 1. The applicant post a sign in the bre"k room encouraging carpools and drop off:ofemplC?yee and; 2. That an advisOry recommendation be made to the City Council that they consider blockjng the cut in the median and; to institue an appropriate time limit for parking on the streets onl.a: Porte and Santa Anita and the area of the specific property. ROLL CALL: AYE~: NOES: Commissioners Daggett, Hedlund, Huang. Kovacic, Clark None Chairman Oark remarked there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution.. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None Arcadia City Planning Commission 3/8/94 Page 4 II ':, RES01.UTION 1509 . A Resolution of the ~g Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, granting CUP 94~ for the expansion of an existing health club at 9956 Las Tunas Dr. A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, granting CUP 94-002 for a tea room restaurant at 21 E. Huntington Dr. RES01.UTlON 1510 Ms. B\\tler read the title of the resolution. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Daggett, seconded by Commissio,!er Kovacic to adopt Resol\\tions 1509 and 1510 and to formally affirm the decision of February 22, 1994 and the vote thereon. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Daggett, Hedlund, Huang, Kovacic, Ciarle None Chairman Ciark remarked there isa five working day appeal period. -------~--~-------------------- MAnERS FROM COUNCiL None MAnERS FROM COMMISSION In answer to a question by Commissioner Kovacic, Ms. Butler explained tht code violations should be reported to the Cily'sCode Enforcement Officers. MATIERS FROM STAFF Mr. MiUer said new regulations will be cOmi!lg intoaffectwith regard to the Brown Act. Anything discussed in the premeetingwill have to be part of the regular agenda and if the Commissio,n would like,to discuss an'item, he shOuld contact the Planning Department and request that the item be placed on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT Adjoum at 9:05 p.m. Arcadia' City Planning Commission 3/8/94 Page 5