HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 28, 1997
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MINUTES
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Arcadia City Planning Commission
Tuesday, October 28, 1997
7:1S'p.m. in tbe Council Cbamben
Planning Commission proceedings are tape-recorded and on file in the office of the Community
DevelopmentDivision.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, October 28, 1997
at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive with Chairman
John Murphy presiding.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy
Commissioner Kaiemkiarian .
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Bell to excuse
Commissioner Kalemkiariim from tonight's 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 WISH TO ADDRESS THE
PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON,PUBLICHEARlNG MATTERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER
PERSON)
None
OTHERS ATTENDING:
Mayor Robert.Harbicht
Community Development Administrator DonnaButJer
Associate Planner James Kasama
Assistant Planner John Halminski
Secretary Silva Vergel
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1. MINUTES of 10/2/97 & 10/14/97
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Bell to approve the
Minutes of October 2nd.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
MOTION
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Murphy
None
Commission.Kaleinkiarian
Commission Sleeter
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, secondeciby CommisSioner Huang to approve the
Minutes of October 141h.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang,,Sleeter, Murphy
None
Commission.Kalemkiarian
2. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 94-006
16 E. Huntington Dr.
Club 101 Sports Bar & Grille
Consideration of revocation of the conditional use permit due to violations.
The staffreport lIl;ked that this item be continued to the Planning Commission's November 12th meeting.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to continue the
public hearing to the Planning Commission's November 12th meeting.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy
None
Commission Kalemkiarian
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3. PUBLIC BEARING TM 52393
167-169 EI Dorado
Tritech Assoc.
Consideration ofa tentative map for a.6~unit condominium project.
The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened.
Tom Cao, Tritech Assoc., 735 W. Emerson, Monterey Park, said they are in agreement with all of the
conditions in the staff report.
Noone else spoke in Javor of or in opposition to this.item.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to close the public
hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve TM
52393 subject to the conditions in the staff report.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy
None
Commission.Kalemkiarian
Chairman Murphy noted that there is a ten-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by Friday,
November 7,1997
4. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 97-010
300 E. HuntingtonDr.
Starbucks Coffee Co.
Consideration of a conditional use permit for an eating establishment in an existing retail
building. There will be 24 indoor .seats at 7 tables and a window counter, and 16 outdoor seats at
6 tables.
The staff report was presented.
In reply to a question 'by the Commission, staff said that the outdoor seating would not block the
sidewalk.
Ms. Butler explained that when the two restaurants were developed, the City was concerned with the
parking and the developer indicated they would limit the number of eating establishments in the retail
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center to two. It was determined at that time that if they chose to have more eating establishments, each
would require the City Council's approval.
The public hearing was opened.
Gregory Sun, PBWS Architects, 300 N. Lake Ave., #430, Pasadena, said they are in agreement with all
of the conditions in the staff report.
No one else.spokein favor of or in opposition to this item.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Bell to close the public
hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting.
Commissioner Sleeter was in favor of the project but wondered if the recommendation to the City
Council should include an .amendment of the condition regarding the need for City Council's approval
of any future C.u.P.s, thus reducing the staff time that is spent. He thought that either that condition
should be eliminated from the original resolution or the condition should be amended to be more
liberalized.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve CUP
97-010 subject to the conditions in the staff report with the recommendation to the City Council
to repeal the condition in their resolution regarding the restriction.
ROLL CALL:'
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy
None
Commission Kalemkiarian
Chairman Murphy noted that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the
resolution. The resolution will be ~dopted on November 12th. Appeals are.to be filed by Wednesday,
November 19, 1997.
5. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 97-011
206 S. FirstAve.
D. Doolittle & M. Owen dba: Mid-City Sandwich Co.
Consideration ofa conditional use permit for an eating establishment by adding seating to a take-
out Delicatessen in an existing retail building. There will be 20 indoor seats at 5 tables, and 16
outdoor seats at 4 tables.
The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened.
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Dan Doolittle, said they are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. He indicated thai
they would construct a trash enclosure behind the building. Deliveries would be made at the rear door.
In reply to a question by the Commission, staff said that no sign application was filed with the CUP
The applicant had submitted tenant improvement plans and the sign and awning were reviewed at tha1
time. He remarked that he thought the employees would be utilizing the 5 parking spaces at the rear 01
the building. Staff is hoping that this use would generate pedestrian traffic as opposed to vehicular.
No one else spoke-in favor of or,in opposition to this item.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Huang to close the public
hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with. none dissenting.
Commissioner Bruckner was thrilled to have this establishment come to downtown. He commendec
staff for bringing this business there and encouraged staff to continue their efforts.
The Planning Commission agreed.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve CUF
97-011 subject to the conditions in the staff report. .
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy
None
Commission Kalemkiarian
Chairman Murphy noted that there is a: five working day appeal period after the adoption of th!
resolution. The resolution will be adopted on November 12th. Appeals are to beftled by Wednesday,
.November 19, 1997.
NON PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
MATTERS.FROM CITY COUNCIL
Because Mayor Harbicht had to leave, this item was moved on the agenda.
Mayor Harbicht discussed the television program "Speaking of Arcadia".
He informed the Planning Commission of the City Council's discussions with.regard to the recent hotel
that is being proposed at the northwest comer of Huntington Dr. and Second Ave, He also talked aboul
the budget that will be considered again at their next meeting. He felt that there is a need to address th!
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budget shortfall now because they are going to have to discuss it in six months anyway. Nothing is
anticipated to change in the next six months, so delaying the discussions would not be beneficial.
6. PUBLIC HEARING MP 97-005
801 W. Huntington.Dr.
Kai Chan, architect for Dr. Francis Yu
Report regarding revised parking layout for the new two-story office building.
The staff report Was presented.
Staff explained the proposed parking plan.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve the
proposed parking plan forMP 97-007.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy
None
Commission Kalernkiarian
7. TOPICS FOR DisCUSSION:
A. CBD Zoning regulations
B. Signs, banners, outdoor displays
The-staff report was presented.
Chairman Murphy explained to the audience that the Planning Commission's recommendation would be
forwarded to the City Council. The City Council may then direct staff to prepare the appropriate text
amendment. The text amendment will require public hearings before both the City €ouncil and the
Planning Commission.
Ms. Butler said that nothing has changed right now. The existing code is what is being enforced.
Garland Roberson, Sullivan Paints, 134 E. Huntington Dr., President of ABA spoke on behalf of their
members. He thoughtit would be a mistake to change the code right now and go back to the way it was
in 1994.
He said that the City Council are volunteers who have their own businesses or are employed elsewhere.
They are not downtown all the time and do not spend all day at the City and that is why they depend on
the Planning Commission to provide them with recommendations on certain issues. Likewise, the
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Planning Commission is comprised of members who either have their own business or are employed
elsewhere. He asked how and where their recommendations come from?
Any change that the City makes will affect many people. Just on tonight's agenda, there were two
businesses that are planning to come to the downtown area. Public hearings will be held for a couple'of
more establishments in .the near future that are also being proposed for the downtown. These businesses
would probably not be coming downtown if the recent changes were not made.
To change the zoning on Huntington Dr, to allow office use would not be a smart move on the City's
part, especially now that the City is having fmancial problems, because there is no sales tax generated by
an office use. Businesses are slowly coming to the downtown. He received a call from the broker of
Foulger Ford who wanted to meet with the ABA and show their plans.
He went on to say that Huntington Dr. would never be an area where people would go for a walk. If
people want to walk, they'll go to the mall. The changes in the downtown area in the past 1-l-S years are
a result of Downtown 2000.
In an attempt to show to the City what the merchants in the downtown area want, he indicated that he
prepared a petition and collected signatures from 70 merchants in a span of less than.2 hours. If he had
more time, he was sure that he would be able to get much more. The ABA feels that there should be no
changes made for at least another year to really be able to see the results of Downtown 2000. The
cOnsensus from the ABA is that the only change should be a moratorium on beauty/naillbarber shops.
They feel that these are not retail and should not be permitted in a retail zone. These uses do not comply
with the 75% rule, therefore, are prohibited but the zoning code lists them as an appropriate and
permitted use. In an attempt to show the Planning Commission how the members .of ABA felt, he asked
that anyone who agreed with his remarks to stand and the majority of the audience stood to show
support.
Ms. Butler asked how the.ABA felt about creating anew category called "Consumer Services". By
revising the "retail" list and adding a new category for "consumer services", it would make it easier for
citizens, business owners and City staff to understand what uses ,are permitted in the CBD zone.
Mr. Roberson.responded that it is a good idea to clarify the.list ofpetmitteduses. He felt there should
be a mix in the doWntown but there are 17 nail salons and tllat is too much. In his opinion, retail is a
minority in the downtown. He did not think bringing in office uses would help the downtown because
the employees that would occupy those buildings would get there in the morning and go home in the
evening. They would not be shopping in downtown. He felt that the uses that are not clearly retail
should betaken out of the permitted uses.
Ms. Butler said that the 75% rule is needed when a use is propOsed that is not listed in the code. This
gives staff an extra tool to evaluate.
Yon Raes, Arcadia Weekly, said he agreed with some things that Mr. Roberson said. Their goal should
be a downtown with an atmosphere that people can walk such as Pasadena and Monrovia; a downtown
thathas bookstores, restaurants, coffee shops and antique stores. He asked how Culligan Water could be
considered retail when 100% of their sales are from deliveries and their location on First Ave. is really a
warehouse? He suggested having a committee for the downtown area that meets only when necessary to
review the businesses and see if they fit in. In his opinion, there isn't enough retail space. Huntington
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Dr. must be retail because retail needs expOsure and traffic. He thought they should be vigorous in their
pursuit ofretail on Huntington Dr.
Faye Stabler, 32-34 E. Huntington Dr., said that Huntington Dr. has not been designed for retail. She
explained that there is no parking for the south side of the street. She indicated that her realtor has been
unable to get retsil uses interested in her building. She felt that a mix of uses would be better for
Huntington Dr. Her property was not designed for retail uses because if any business goes into the
arcade section of her property, they are not visible from Huntington Dr. Only the front 1/3 portion of
her building fronts on Huntington Dr.
Gail Theilacker,La Tea Da, 21E.Huntington Dr., d~sagreed with Mr. Roberson and said that'she gets a
lot oCher business from the services that are being discussed tonight. Customers from the beauty salon
occasionally drop by her establishment for tea after they have had their hair done. or patients from the
medical office across the street will go there while they are waiting for medications to take affect. In
considering the list, they should consider sales tax generating businesses because this would provide
revenue for the City. She felt that it was very important for both the tenants as well as the property
owners to be notified. She felt that a mix of uses is very important
In reply to.a question by Commissioner Sleeter, Ms. Butler explained the noticing procedure.
Jerry Mascottattributed the recent changes in the downtown area to the Do.wntown 2000 project He
indicated that funds are available to property owners to rehabilitate their buildings and to better attract
retail businesses.
Steve Leening, Frame House, 12 N. First Ave., suggested the following definition. for retail business,
"Where consumer goods are provided for the end user, as a product of tangible goods for sale on display
in the establishment, that will,induce walk in and carry out traffic by consumers." The changes are,new
and he felt that additionai time should be given for the project to really work
Chairman Murphy replied that the proposed changes are.a result of the frustration by property owners
and merchants'who want activity in the downtown. 'He wondered if maybe they should leave things
because the people who are present tonight are the ones that have to live with the situation and by the
show of the attendees it appears that they do not want to 'make any changes. A lot of good things.have
been happening in downtown. Perhaps they need to wait a year;
Ms. Butler said that there is definitely a. need for a second list of permitted uses this will help better
define the types of uses permitted on Huntington Dr. and First Ave. There are other streets in the
downtown that are zoned CBD that this would apply to.
Commissioner Bruckner said that itwas difficult for him to imagine retail uses on some of the buildings
on -Huntington Dr., for example the office building at the northwest comer of Huntington Dr. and First
Ave. This is the largest building on the block and to him, that building is clearly an offiCe building and
not retail.
Ms. Theilacker said that the City should have vision. She said that in Monrovia, a restaurant moved in
to what used to be a bank building. They had a vision and it took some time to fill up their retail spaces.
If they change the zoning, they would be discouraging. potential retail uses. There is potential in the
downtown.
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Mr, Roberson said that property owners are being given the opportunity to rehabilitate their buildings
and make them more retail friendly.
Ms. Butler said that once a non-conforming use leaves a retail space, the same type of a Use can.move
into the same location within a 90-day period.
Greg Zuzow, Zuzow Photography, Il7S. First Ave., could not understand why his business was not
considered as a retail buSiness? He explained that he sells frames arid pictures, which are tangible goods,
although, he does provide a photography service where his customers may come who have made
appointments or he may go to a customer's location for a photo shoot.
Ms. Butler responded that his business is not a day to day service - in other words his customers do not
walk in right off the street. Retail uses are pedestrian oriented.
Mr. Zuzow disagreed and .said that he is no different from a restaurant which provides a service. He felt
they need to have a committee.that they can voice their opinions to.
Chairman Murphy did 'not think that they should be pushing something through that the merchants do
not want. A radical decision could be a mistake.
Commissioner Bell Jemarkedthat the present regulations have not;been effective.
Ms. Butler said that currently office uses are not permitted .on Huntington Dr. and they would need to
change the code to allow an office use, if it. is not already an office use. 'She summarized the Planning
Commission's recommendation, which appeared to be to leave Huntington .Dr. as is and to pull out uses
that are. not considered to be retail from permitted uses and to create another category for consumer
services~ She wolild reorganize this and bring.in both lists to the Planning Commission for their review
and approval. Acopy would be made available to the ABA.
Commissioner Sleeter agreed with Ms. Butler and said that a defmition of retail is needed irrespective of
the type of service. He thought that maybe their sales tax should be considered.
Commissioner Huang felt they should be more flexible. He said if a use is not on either list, there
should be a way that each proposal could be considered on a case by 'case basis, depending on the
location and building type.
Ms. Butler said that when a "Determination of Use" is made, it is for the entire zone and is not site
specific. By having a definition of retail and consumer services and aiso having the 75%rule itwill help
staff to attain the goals set forth in the CBD zone.
It was determined that .signs and outdoor displays would be considered .at the November 12th meeting.
The Planning Commission felt that after all the other items on the agenda have been heard, the meeting
would be moved to the Conference Room which is more appropriate for this type of a meeting instead of
having the Planning Commission sitting at the dais.
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MA TIERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSON
Commissioner Sleeter expressed concerns over a few homes that.are being built in his neighborhood,
They all seem to have a massive look with two-story entrances. All are on small lots. They all have the
same stone workand the same windows. Two were constructed last year and now several similar homes
are under construction.
Ms. Butler explained that several years ago architectural. design review (ADR) was proposed and a
committee was formed comprised of homeowners from the. various parts of the city. This committee
met for approximately one year regarding this issue and at the end'the City Council decided not to
follow through with an ADR. ADR is very subjective.
Commissioner Bruckner commented that the way to have ADR would be to incorporate standards in the
code.
Chairman Murphy commended staff in removing all the ilJegal signs and said that the City looks much
better.
Ms. Butler said that the City's Code Services Officers are t:esponsible for the improvement. She noted
that one of the City's Code Services Officers has resigned. Chances are that the City may not be hiring
another Code Services Officer due to the budget. It is ashame, because staff has been taking.a proactive
approach to code enforcement but now there is only one code services officer, and she will be restricted
to taking a reactive approach.
Chairman Murphy agreed that it would be a shame to lose such an important position that does so much
for keeping up the Cityis appearance. He thought that this is a silly place to try to save because in the
long run it.could be detrimental.
MODIFICATION COMMrrTEEMEETING ACTIONS
ComJDissioner Kalemkiarian recapped actions taken by the Modification Committee.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
1. CITY COUNCIL ACTONS
2. UPCOMING AGENDA IlEMS
Ms. Butler discussed upcoming projects.
ADJOURN TO WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH 10:0~ p.m.
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Secretary, Arc . . anning Commission
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