HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPRIL 25, 1995
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M I N UT E S
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Arcadia City Planning Commission
Tuesday, April 25, 1995
7:15 P.M. in the Council Chambers
Planning Commission proceedings are tape recorded and on file in the office of the Community Development
Division.
The pianning Commission ofthe City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, April 25. 1995 at 7:15 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall. 240 West Huntington Drive. with Chairman Bob Daggett presiding.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
MOTION
Commissioners Bell, Kalemkiarian, Kovacic, Murphy, Daggett
Commissioners Clark and Huang
It was moved by Commissioner Kovacic, seconded by CommissionerKalemkiarian.to excuse Commissioners
Clark and Huang from tonighfs meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WIS'H TO ADDRESS
THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS '
(FIVE MINUTES TIME LIMIT PER PERSON)
None
OTHERS ATTENDING:
Council Member Barbara Kuhn
City AttomeyMichaelMiller
community Development Administrator, Donna Butler
Planning Services Manager, Corkran,Nicholson
Associate Planner. James Kasama
Secretary, Silva Vergel
1 . MINUTES OF 3/28/95
MOTION
It was moved' by Commissioner Kalemkiarian. seconded by Commissioner Bell to approve the Minutes of
March 28, 1995 as published. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
2 . PUBLIC HEARING CUP 94,006
16 E. Huntingtan Or.
Paula Zdara, Daris Ferguson & Larry Lerin - Club 101 Sperts & Grille
Three month reevaluatian as stipulated by the Planning Cammissien for the extended .operating heurs .of thE
restaurant and cecl<tailleunge.
The staff report was presented and the public hearing'was .opened.
Paula Zdara, 1203 Willew, Glendora, was pleased te hear that there were net cemplaints received. She indicated that
the due te the weather, their business has dropped drastically. She submitted a summary sheet .outlining the income
and expenditures .of her business since February 1 Oth.Shil explained the chart and discussed the eperaticn .of the
business. In view of. the decline in attendance, she asked that.the Cemmission censider not requiring the security
guard from'Sunday through Thursday. She explained that it is very expensiveta. have the ,security guard and en
seme nights their cest is mere than their revenues. If the City receives any camplaints fram nat having the guard on
thase nights, she weuld be willing to bring the guard back. The guard would still be there'fram 10:00 pem. en Friday
and'Saturday nights until the premises were cleared .of all patrons. Mest .of the time an weekdays there are .only a few
peeple after 11 :00 p.m. The drop in patrcnage .on weekdays does net warrant having a security guard.
In respense te questions by the Commissien, Ms. Zdara said that the guard stands in the alley but during the recent
rains, he sat in his car. She cited a disturbance which .took place recently where a woman was en the greund and
screaming in the Iiquer store parking !et. She wenllhere and verified that she wasnet'at her, establishment. She
indicated that she cannet pessibly centrol the patrens frem the ether establishments and sheuld net be penalized fer
their behavior.
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She w(lnt on to say that when they have special events en a Weekday she Weuld provide a,security guard, .since they
knaw the special events in advance. .
Art Palfry, 15 Alice, said their situatian has impreved since they have-brought in the security guard. He explained that
hewas cancemedfor his tenants that have camplainedabout the neise problems.
In answer to questians by the Cemmissian, he indicated that he weuldbe willing to coaperate with Ms, Zdara in
reducing the number .of days, far the security guard as long as if prablemsari.se she brings them back en.
Capt. Hinig said this has been a gaad experiment fer the Pelice Department. They have nat had any neise
complaints that they can attribute toMs. Zdaia'sestablishment. He reminded the Cammission thatwhen the weather
gets warmer people will tend te .open theirwindews'and'may hear naise. He thought the removal .of the guardweuld
create a situation where the Pelice would be back there;again. The neise Wauld definitely affect the quality ellife for
the residents and the presence .of .the guard has been able to mediate the problem. He theughtthat when
censtruction in the downtown area begins in May, many .of her custemers will park in the rear' because streelparking
will nclbeavailable and that Will alseincrease the neise thatis net currently there.
Ne:ene elsespeke in'favor .of .or in appasition ta this item.
MOTION
It was moved by Cemmissiener Kalemkiarian, secanded by Commissiener Bell ta clesethepublic hearing.
The motien passed by voice vote with none dissenting.
Cemmissiener Kevacic appreciated the predicament that Ms. Zdarais in buldid not think that the Commissian's'role is
te determine whether the businesses is sUCCessful .or nat. He did net mind fine tuning the days. He indicated that
there seems te be several different prejectsthat are ceming up in the Redevelepment area that might warkagainst
her.
Mr. Miller suggested asking fer periadic reperts te keep the Cemmission infarmed of thesituatien. This will allew the
Cemmissien the eppertunity to review this furt~er il necessary. Anether hearing can be scheduled in six months and
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the Commission can receive monthly reports which would include any complaints received by the neighbors, ,and if
deemed necessary, the hearing could be scheduled earlier.
Ms. Butler indicated that the Redevelopment project. will begin May 22nd and is anticipated to be completed by
October. There will be signs posted directing people where to park. She suggested having a bimonthly, report to the
Commission and a hearing can be scheduled in six months and if problems arise, the hearing can be held sooner.
Mr. Miller indicated that with the pending construction in the downtown area and possible loss of business, this
applicant is facing tough times and he suggested working with her.
MOTION
It was moved by COl)1missioner Kovacic, sebonded by Commissioner Bell to revise the existing C.U.P. that
the uniformed.,security guard begin at 10:00 p.m. until the site is cleared of all patrons on Friday, Saturday
and Sunday nights. That the Community Development Division provide a bimonthly report to the
Commission with apLiblic hearing scheduled in six months. If problems arise prior to the end of'six months,
the'publichearing can be accelerated.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Kovacic
Commissioners Kalemkiarian, Murphy, Daggett
Commissioners Clark and Huang
The motion Jailed.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, seconded by Commissioner Murphy to revise theexistjng
C~U.P. thatlhe uniformed security guard begin at 10:00 p.m. untilthe.site is cleared of all patrons on Friday
and Saturday nights. That the Community Development Division pro,vide a bimonthly report to the
Commission with a public hearing scheduled in six months. If problems, arise prior to the ena of six months
the public hearing can be accelerated.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Kalemkiarian, Kovacic; Murphy, Daggett
None
Commissioners Clark and Huang
3. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING TA 95-002
Consideration of a text amendment to. establish a Density Bonus Ordinance for R-2 and R-3 multiple-family
projects.
The staff report was presented.
In response to a question by Commissioner Kovacic, staff said a developer may build the maximum n'umber of units
on a property plus 25% under this ordinance; By doing this either the building envelope will be bigger and/or the
units may be smaller. Current code does not limit the square footage of the building just the number of units.
Ms. Butler said the setbacks would still remain the same. R-2 and R-3 zones do not have lot coverage requiremenls.
Staff indicated that there is a minimum unit size and they would nqt be able to go less than that without a modification
which would require a public hearing before the Commission. Any project would go through the same type of a
procedure, I.e. arChitectural design review, etc. The maximum density for the R-3 zone is one unit for every 2000 sq.
ft. of lot area, and R-2 is one unit for every 3,750 sq.ft of. lot area.
Commissioner Kovacic asked Mr. Miller if there are options available to cities other than granting density bonuses?
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Mr. Miller replied there are options and it seems to provide some flexibility to offer different incentives to get to the
same purpose.
Commissioner Kovacic said Section 65915 which gives the option to provide a density bonus or other incentiVes of
equivalent financial value based upon the land cost per dwelling unit.
Mr. Miller responded that the City has to allow for certain density bonuses but can also make findings such as 'an
additional concession may not be required in order for rents to be affordable or unless the local agency'provides
other incentives of equivalent financial value based upon'the land cost per dwelling unit.' Since this was imposed on
all cities, the State had to allow for a variety of approaches to address the housing problem.
In answer to another question by Commissioner Kovacic, staff said one of the goals of the 1990 General Plan
Housing Element, is to meet the City's projected housing needs as specified in SCAG's December 1988 Housing
Needs Assessment which sets' forth specific numbers.
Commissioner Bell asked if these would be units for senior citizens or families and how it would affectthe school
district?' .
Staff said the units would be developed in accordance with both the zoning and the General Plan. The City is not
creating new zoning but dealing with the existing. .
Staff went on to say that the City would be considering increasing the density by 25% for those units that qualify. The
City does have the right to deny It if It is in conflict with the General Plan or there is an indication that it will create a
negative impact. The impact of the density bonus is factored in the Housing Elenient of the General Plan. These
projects will go through the reliiew process established and each project will be reviewed based on its 'own merits,
The General Plan,does'consider the issues of the density bonus and it is one of the goals to be addressed.
Commissioner Kovacic noted that the General Plan is being amended and the sections cited are from the 1991
General Plan? Is staff suggesting that the current General Plan conteniplateda 25% density Bonus?
Ms. Butlersxplained that the density bonus is.a tool for cities and counties to. address the need for all income'levels
of housing. The General Plan looks at the overall housing and the densities within the multiple-family areas. The City
is in the process of updatingthe General Pian, Master Plan, for the water facilities and waste and sewer plan for the
City. The City is,looking at all of these baSed on current density levels and the possibility of increasing densities. This
was all considered in the 1990 Update and will be taken into consideration as part of the General Plan Update. This
provides incentives for developers to construct the housing. The cost of land may preclude this but the City is trying
to provide an option for developers.to address all housing needs,
Commissioner Kalemkiarian said he has built units in NorthHollywoodand they were given this option but they would
have' had to build underground parking and it was not economically feasible.
Commissioner Kovacic realized that every community has an obligation to share.this burden. He said there seems to
be some flexibility builUnto the legislation and he was not sure that the same was true with the text amendment. He
explained that Sec. 65915, densitY bonuses is just an option but the text amendment does not seem to provide that
option.
MS..Butler indicated that staff has contacted other cities and has been unable to find what the options or, alternatives
are and this has been.the.best seen from other cities..
Commissioner Kovacic interpreted the text amendment as the developer will receive a density bonuses plus
additional concessions. He felt the legislation said 'you shall provide density bonus or other incentives'. He felt.the
legislation being either/or and text amendment as 'imd'.He.thought density bonus might be good but a time might
come where the City would not want to do that and they might being doing a disservice to the City not to preserVe the
flexibility that is available to the City in the legislation.
Ms. Buller indicated that the text amendment can always be amended or rescinded. That has never been a problem.
The City can aiso provide other incentives, She said the low income senior housing on Naomi was. granted many
modifications because of the uniqUeness olthe project. Also, it was in a commercial zbne. The City's intent was to
encourage senior citizen housing. They were granted a conditional use permit and allowed at a high ,density with one
parking space for every 3 units. Because of the merits of:theproject, many concessions were granted. The same
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can possibly be done with other legislation on certain . types of housing. For example a CUP can be required for
anyone who wants to put in low and moderate income housing in multiple-family zones.
Staff said that in talking with other cities they were unable to direct staff to other provisions.
Ms. Butler stated that staff feels this is the best way to integrate housing in the existing multiple,fami!y zones. Staff
will continue to explore other ideas as part of the General Plan. Update the consultants may also provide:altematives
that staff can explore. She felt,the flexibility is, already in the code especially since each project would be reviewed on
an individual basis.
The public hearing was opened.
No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to this, item.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Bell to close the public hearing. The
motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting.
Chairman Daggett abstained from this issue.
Commissioner Murphy complemented staff on a job well done, especially since R-1 zone was excluded. He did not
think this is an. imposition on the developer but rather an option. He was pleased that this could not be used as off-
site and tl1at itwould have to be on the site.
MOTION
It was. moved by Commissioner Murphy, 'seconded by CommiSsioner Bell to recommend approval of T A 95-
002 to the City Council. .
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ASSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CommissionerS Bell, Kalemkiarian, Kovacic, Murphy
None
Commissioners qark and Huang
Chairman Daggett
MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL REPORTSI ANNOUNCEMENTSI STATEMENTS
Council Member Kuhn briefly discuss.ad the Santa Anita Race Track project and that it has been officially. accepted by
the City.
She talked about the Earth Day Project and urged the Commission to participate in next years program.
She remarked that this might be her last meeting with the Commission as liaison. She complemented the Commission
on a continuous job well done.
MATTERSFR()M THE pLANNING COMMISSION
REPORTS lANNOUNCEMENTSI STATEMENTS
Commissioner Daggettannounced'meetings that will be taking place.
Commissioner Murphy sai,d that Santa Anita spon~ored a 5k race linked to the Derby Day on April 8th, which the City
Council supported by adding Police Officers. This drew a large crQwd. The race went through the arboretum and
finished on the finish line at the race track. There were approximately 2600 participants and everyo[1e he knows who
participated raved about it and indicated how much they appreciated the opportunity to do this which also,brought in
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good will and not to mention! dollars.
bringing this into the City.
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He wanted to publicly acknowledge. both Santa Anita and the Council for
MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS
Commissioner MurPhy recapped the Modification Committee's actions.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
1. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Ms. Butler gave a brief summary of the actions taken at the City CoiJncil's last two meetings and the items that were
before them for consideration.
2. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Butler announced the applications thathave been filed and will be before the Commission as public hearings.
Ms.. Butler,discussed the meetings and dinners which Chairman Daggett mentioned.
The time schedule which was distributed pertains to the General Plan Update. A Community Workshop has beeh
scheduled for 7:00 p.m., May 17th at the Community Center. The purpose is to receive input from the public on
issues. opportunities. and goals that they would like to see addressed in the General Plan as well as informing them of
what the City is doing. She invited the Commission to attend. The City's consultant, LSA. will conduct the meeting.
.At the next Planning Commission meeting the City Manager will present a brief preview presentation of the Santa Al)ita
project that has.beensubmitted. She asked that the.Commission adjourn to 6:30 p.m., May 23rd. A scoping, meeting
has been scheduled for June 29lh to discuss impact, issues. opportunities and items lhatthe public feels ,should be
include in EIR for this particular project. This meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center.
ADJOURN TO MAY 23, 1995
om mission
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