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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 22, 1995 " . MINUTES . Arcadia City Planning Commission Tuesday,August22,1995 7:15 P.M. in the Gouncil Chambers Planning Commission proceedings are tape recorded and on file in the ottice of the Community Development Division. The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, August,22, 1995 at7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairman Bob Daggett presiding. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: Commissioners Bell, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Kovacic, Murphy, Sleeter, Daggett None SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS (FIVE MINUTES TIME LIMIT PER PERSON) None PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENTATION Chairman Daggett welcomed Commissioner Sleeter to the Planning Commission. OTHERS ATTENDING: City Attomey Michael Miller Community Development Administrator, Donna Butler Secretary, SilvaVergel 1 . MINUTES OF 7/25/95 MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kovacic, seconded by Commissioner Bell to'approve the Minutes of July 25, 1995 as published. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Commissioners Bell, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Kovacic, Murphy, Daggett None Commissioner Sleeter . . PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. PUBLIC HEARING TA 95-003 Consideration of a zoning text amendment adding, regulalions 10 Chapler 2 of the Arcadia Municipal Code 10 include procedures to, adopt and amend specific plans. The'staff report was presented. In response to Commission's questions, Ms. Butler indicated that Ihe ordinance will be retroactive to. the beginning of this year. This lext amendment would apply to Ihe Santa Anita Entertainment Complex (SAEC). Presently, there are no guidelines in the Municipal Code for Specific Plans. Specific Plans provide a planning tool which offer the opportunity to combine typical zoning regulations with detailed site development standards and design guidelines along with other regulatory requirements into one document tailored to, a particular development program and site. Specific plans have.the advantages over other land use planning tools: . The ability to tailor regulations to a particular area without changing the City wide zoning ordinance . To specify a specific area, and hown will be developed She went on to say that.developments through a specnic plan have to be consistent with'the General Plan. A specific plan is commonly used in hillside developments that typically do not fit the standard zoning regulations. In regard to setbacks, building heights, grading. The specific plan provides a tool that takes the place of zoning because it is created specifically for'a particular property. In essence, a specific plan offers more leverage and, many issues can be addiessed that otherwise are not addresse(fin the zoning regulations. A specific plan is site specific. Mr. Miller indicated that Rick Gomez, Deputy City Manager/Development Sen/ices Director has drafted several specific plans. Specific Plans provide the City with more control on all aspects ofthe project. He stated that specific plans set parameters and guidelines lor developments. Ms. Butler said that specific plans give more flexibility and allow more control over the development of,a particular site. In response to a question by the Commission, she indicated that either the applicant can apply for one or the City can initiate a specific plan. The reason for makingn retroactive is to include SAEC. She indicated that the 5' acre minimum was what most cities used and the lot size could be waivedanda smaller one could be considered. The public hearing was opened. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, seco~dedby Commissioner Sleeter to close the public hearing., The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Chairman Daggett thought this ordinance would be redundant and did not see a need for ii. Other than SAEC, he could not see another project or property that could use this and thoughtitwould be just another ordinance on the books. Commissioner Huang said he has worked on severaL specific plans and seen many revitalization areas.lhat it has been applied to and was in favor of the ordinance. Commissioner Kovacic agreed. He wondered about the fairness of, making it retroactive; Mr.,Miller responded that Santa Anna has not objected to having this apply to their project. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Kalemkiarian to recommendapprovall of Text Amendment 95-003 to the City Council. Arcadia City Planning Com,mission 8/22/95 Page 2 . . ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioner Bell, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Kovacic, Murphy, Sleeter Commissioner Daggett MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL ,CITY COUNCIL REPORTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / STATEMENTS None MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/STATEMENTS Commissioner Kalemkiarian asked about the progress'of Downtown 2000 project? Ms. Butler recommended speaking with Pete Kinnahan, Assistant 10 the Economic Development Administrator who would be better able to inform, him of the progress. Mr. Miller advised the Commission that the City Council adopted a resolution declaring the present work stoppage in the downtown to be an emergency because the storm drains are not in. place and other related issues. They authorized suspension of the contract with Sully-Miller for the purpose of addressing the immediate concern and waiving the requiremenisto go to bid so.a contract can be placed immediately with a substitute contractor. Although officials a Sully-Miller objected to the City position, they do not know when the strike will be over and the City had to take action based on,input from consulting engineers that there could be a problem if the storm drains are not in place. The City's primary goal is to have the streets paved prior to the Oak Tree season and he commented that time. is of the essenc;e.. He indicated that the City tries to anticipate any problems and to address them in contracts. Each contract,is tailored'to specifically apply to that particular project. There are some provisions thatthe City can add to miligate the problem but there isnlanything il1at the City can do to stop a work stoppage when it has already started. When it does start, there are certain things that can and cannot be done before getting in,-:olved in unfair labor practice. To the best 01 his knowledge. this has not happened in the past twenty years and the City is rethinking it and working on,wording and new ways of protecting the Citylrom it including requirements that ihe City have the opportunity to review the collective'bargaining agreement. MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS Commissioner Kovacic recapped the. Modification Committee's actions. Mr. Kovacic explained that one item was continued to allow the Committee to visit the site. The request was to remove a healthy oak tree, mainly because of a beliel:thata tree located in the front yard and blocking the. lrontentiy door is badluck. Commissioner Kovacic asked ilthe removal could be denied despite 01 religious or cultural beliefs? Mr. Miller indicated that the City's position is that they can not take the position to approve something that contravenes the City's other rules and. regulations. Commissioner Huang explained that it isa common belief in the Chinese culture that a tree in front of the Iront door is not good. Mr., Miller said people might try all kinds ot rational in the,name of religion to justity certain land use practices and in most cases the court finds that it is not a religious practice or if it is it does not rise to the levei 01 overriding police power. Commissioner Kalemkiarian asked to be excused from the September 12th meeting. Arcadia City PlanningGommission 8/22/95 Page 3 . . MATTERS FROM STAFF 1 . CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS Ms. Butler gave a brief summary 01 the actions taken al the City Council's meeting and the items that were before them for consideration. 2. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Butler announced the applications that have been filed and will be before the Commission as public hearings. There was discussion regarding Modification Committee membership. Based on previous discussions with the Commission, City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, it was determined that one Planning Commissioner serve as Chairman of the Modnication Committee for a three month term. It was suggested that the new schedule begin 'in January and Commissioner Kovacicagreed to serve as Chair until the end of the year. With. the exception of Commissioner Huang, who wo.uld not be able to serve as the Chairman for three coniinuous months, the Commission was in favor of the specified term. Commissioner Bell indicated that she would be'able to relieve Commissioner Huang if he ever needed to be excused. Commissioner Huang indicated that he would be able to serve a one month period. In.response to Commission'srequest.to change the time, Ms; Butler indicated,that the time could be changed to 7:45 a.m. All agreed this would be more acceptable. 8:00 p:;-m. :?/~. /~~~~'l~ cSe e ary, Arcadia Pia ing Commission ADJOURNMENT Arcadia City Planning Commission 8/22/95 Page 4