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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNOVEMBER 24, 1998 ~ -- --- -- ~it7' ~~y . MINUTES . '-_6 Arcadia CityPlanning Commission TucsdaJ, Nln'ember 24, 1998 7:15 p.ol. in the Council Chambers Planning Commission proceedings are tape-recorded and on file in the office of the Community Development Division, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, November 24, 1998 at 7:15 p,m, in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W, Huntington Drive with Chairman Pro Tern Richard Bruckner presiding, ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner ABSENT: Commissioner Kalemk:iarian MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seeonded by Commissioner Sleeter to excuse Commissioner Kalemk:iarian from tonight's meeting, The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting: OTHERS ATTENDING Council Member Gino Roncelli City Attorney Michael Miller Community Development Administrator Donna Butler Planning Services Manager Corkran Nicholson Assistant Planner John Halminski Assistant Planner CandyceBurnett Secretary Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None TIME RESERVED FOR lHOSE IN 1HE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS 1HE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MA1TERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) i' Faye Stabler, I lIS. Orange Grove, Pasadena, spoke regarding. item #9 on the agenda dealing with hardship exemptions in the CBD zone, She indicated that she is a property owner along Huntington Dr. and although she recently leased her unit to a retail business, she had a very difficult time getting a tenant. She thought the exemption issue should be approved, t I t , !. MOTION . . It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Murphy to read all resolutions by title only and waive reading in full, l. MlNUIESot 10/27/98 MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve the Minutes of October 131h as published, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian 2, PUBLIC HEARING CUP 98-023 100 E, Live Oak Thomas Clarke Consideration of conditional use permit to operate an academic learning center, RESOLUTION NO. 1583 Aresolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, granting CUP 98-023, to operate an academic learning center at 100 E. Live Oak Ave. The staff report was presented, Ms, Butler explained that in order to streamline the CUP process, staff will be forwarding approval resolutions at the time that CUPs are scheduled fur a public hearing. If the project is approved, the resolution can be adopted that night. If changes are made or conditions added or deleted, then staff will change the resolution to reflect the .amendments, If the project is denied, then staff will return with a denial resolution at the next' Planning Commission meeting, By adopting the resolution at the same time, it reduces the waiting time fur the applicantby two weeks, ;. i:, The.public hearing was opened, Thomas Clarke, 72 N, Anoyo Blvd"Pasadena, said they are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report, No one else spoke in filvor of or in opposition to this item, ~ Chairman Pro Tern Bruckner closed the public hearing, The consensus of the Planning Commission was favorable, Aradia city PImming Commissioa 2 11/24198 MOTION . . It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve CUP 98-023 subject to the conditions in the staff report and adopt Resolution 1583 refleeting the Planning Commission's actions, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner noted that there is a five-working day appeal period after the adoption of the .resolution, Appeals are to be filed by Thursday, Deeember 3n1, 3, PUBLIC HEARING CUP 98-024 806 S, First Ave, Temple Education Center Corp, Consideration of conditional use permit to operate a tutorial center, RESOLUTION NO. 1584 A resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, Califurnia, granting CUP 98'-024, to operate a tutorial center at 806 S, First Ave, The staff report was presented, Staff indicated that there are lIon-site parking spaces, 67 on-site parking spaces are required based on the squarefuotage of the tutoring center, The existing park:ing.ratio of l.8 spaces per 1,000 sq, ft, of gross floor area fur the pre-existing building, results in the, net parking space requirement of 63 spaces fur the proposed tutoring center, Staff. noted that the applicant has submitted a letter from the Arcadia Presbyterian Church indicating that the church will provide the additional parking required for the proposed use. Off-site parking is Permitted, provided that it is within 150' feet of the subject site, A covenant signed by both parties would be required indicating their agreement for the use of the parking fur the du~ion of the proposed tutoring center. Staff visited the site and .noticed that the church parking lot is not utiiized during the proposed hours of operation of the subject use, With other tutoring centers, staff has observed that the students are dropped off and picked-up by carpools, private transportation, or walk. Staff believes that with a limited age group of students, a shared parking agreement and a vanpool service the demand for on-site parking will be reduced, There has not been any parking or traffic problems with the other tutoring centers in the City. Commissioner Murphy inquired about the corridor that was drawn in the plans and said that.it is imperative that the corridor be required, He wanted to be certain that the children are kept safe while waiting to be picked-up or dropped off He was concerned with the church's parking lot and did not want the children to get hurt crossing the street, He wanted to know exactly where the children would be dropped oft'? Arcadia City Planning Commission 3 1I/24i')8 . . The public hearing was opened, Bill McCall, 944 W, Arcadia, Arcadia, thanked staff for their time and effort, He said they are currently at 141 E, Duarte Rd, and have been..theresince 1993, He explained the parking situation at their existing location and said with the all the different uses at that location there is always parking available, He explained where the children would be dropped off and picked-up from. The church is aware of the covenant and does not object to signing it, He said that staff will not leave the children unattended while waiting to be picked-up, It is their responsibility to make sure that the children are kept safe, They have a current enrollment of approximately 90 students, This move is not intended as an expansion, They have been asked to vacate the premises because the property was reeently sold, Ms, Butler explained that their current location at 141 W, Duarte Rd, will be occupied by the Theological Seminary which was approved by the Planning Commission at their last meeting, John Farr, l595 W, Haven, San Marino, said that the traffic count on First Ave, is much lower than on Duarte Rd, The applicant currently operates 3 schools, The children would be waiting in the reception area or classrooms while waiting.to be picked-up, No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item, Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner c1gsed the public hearing. He said that his children attended the church and he felt that it was a safe place, He thought this is an ideal location for this type of a use i>ecause the church parking' lot is under utilized, Commissioner Murphy expressed concerns and feared for the safety of young children let out on First Ave. with cars traveling at 35 MPH. Ms. Butler said they could require that the children be kept inside but that would be difficult to police, The school is liable and accountable for the safety of the children. .. Mr, Miller said the Planning Commission needs to transfer the responsibility to the applicant, The concern of the Planning Commission is land use, The legal concern of the school is the safety of the children, There is a point in which the. responsibility goes ftomland use to the personal conduct of the students as supervised by the school. Whether it is a condition or not, it is their responsibility to supervise the children. l [ . l' , r ~ Commissioner Murphy asked that the corridor included in the site plan be included as a condition of approval, Ms. Butler said that the corridor is a mandatory requirement, They have to comply with building code requirements or they will not be able to operate, She said that staff could add a secondary access be provided subject to the approval. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve CUP 98-024 subject to the conditions in thestaffreport and adopt Resolution 1584, Arcadia city Pluming Commissi... 4 \1/24'98 . . ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner noted that there is a five-working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution, Appeals are.to be filed by Thursday, Deeember3rd 4, PUBLIC HEARING JPM 98-022 (pM 25345) 119-121 Diamond St, Hank Jong Consideration of a tentative parcel map for a 2-unit condominium project, The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened, Hank Jong, EGL Assoc., 881 Monte Verde, said he is the engineer of the project and is in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report, No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item, Chairman Pro Tern Bruckner closed the public hearing, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve TPM 98-022 subject to the conditions in the staff report, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chairman Pro Tern Bruckner noted that there is a ten-day appeal period, Appeals are to be filed by Monday, December 7th, 5, PUBLIC HEARING IPM 98-023 (pM 25348) 431 Genoa Hank Jong Consideration of a tentative parcel map for a 3-unit condominium project, The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened, Hank Jong, EGL Assoc., 881 MonteVerde, said he is the engineer of the project and is in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. Aradia city PIormirJg Commissioo 5 11124'98 No one else spoke in tavor o.n opposition to this item, . Chairman Pro Tern Bruckner closed the public hearing, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve TPM 98-023 subject to the conditions in the staff report, ROLLCALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chairman Pro Tern Bruckner noted that there is a ten-day appeal period, Appeals are to be filed by Monday, December 7th, 6, PUBUC HEARING TM 52734 840-900 S, Golden West Ave. Hank Jong Consideration ofa tentative map for an 8-unitcondominium project, The stafrreport was presented and the public hearing was opened. Hank Jong, EGL Assoc., 881 Monte Verde, said he is the engineer of the project and is in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report, No one else spoke in tavor of or in opposition to this item, Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner closed the public hearing, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve TM 52734 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy,.Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner noted that there is a ten-day appeal period, Appeals are to be filed by Monday, December 7th, Arcadia city Planning Commissioo 6 11124198 7, PUBLIC HEARING *8-0] 3 & ADR 98-032 227 Genoa St. Eric Friedman . Consideration of modifications for a proposed 2-unit residential condominium project, The staff report was presented. Staff felt that 27' driveway would be adequate, The walkway in front of Unit A will be landscaped, The public hearing was opened, Eric Friedman, 20 E, Foothill Blvd" said he is in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item, Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner closed the public hearing. He was pleased that the garages did not face the street and that it actually resembled,the front of the. house. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve MP 98-013 & ADR98-032 subject to the conditions in the staffreport. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemk:iarian Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner noted that there is a five-working day appeal period, Appeals are to be flled by Thursday, December 3rd, 8, PUBLIC HEARING MP 98-015 199 N.Second Ave. (the SW comer of Second Ave, and Santa Clara St.) Arcadia Lodging LLLP Consideration. of modifications to allow a 10'-6" to 16'-0" setback along Santa Clara St. for the four story Hilton Hotel in lieu of24' -0" required per the high rise overlay, The staff report was presented, Ms, Butler stated that there will bea landscape barrier between the two hotels, There will not be a shared parking lot. Both hotels have their own required parking on each site. The setback modification is for the narrow portion of the hotels and not for the entire building, Both hotels are in plan cheek and have already been resubmitted for their second review, They are hoping to start grading soon, Escrow has not closed yet because one of the conditions was that prior to close of escrow they secure building permits for at least one hotel. One oak tree will be removed along the AJcodi, city PImming Commission 7 11/24/98 westerly propeny line becaustltat is where the transfurmers and othttems to serve the two lots will be located, The oak tree to the north of the hotel will be preserved, The public hearing was opened, Gary Rohr, 2075 S, University, Denver, Colorado, President of Stonebridge Co" said they are the owner and operators of the hotels, Marriott and Hilton each have approval rights, The site plan, building, and all aspects must be approved by each hotel. Marriott did not like the shared entrance of the original site plan and would not approve it. They then redesigned the site and it works, albeit, the original plan was a better design, This is the reason why the Hilton was pushed to the north and thus the need for the modification, They have already invested $800,000 so far on the project. They are committed, It is absolutely impossible to keep one of the existing oak trees but the other tree will be preserved, The latter tree might need to be moved and he was not sure if it could survive, No one else spoke in mvor of or in opposition to this item, Chairman Pro Tem Bruckner closed the public hearing, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve MP 98-015 subject to the conditions in the staff report, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chairman Pro Tern Bruckner noted that there is a five-working day appeal period, Appeals are to be filed by Thursday, December3rd, NON PUBLIC.HEARING ITEMS 9. PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION Planning Commission recommendation regarding a request by Faye Stabler to allow hardship exemptions in the CBD zone, Ms, Butler said that business license history is available, It is going to be difficult to come up with criteria for hardship exemptions, They would need to make specific findings, Some of the buildings on Huntington Dr, were obviously designed and constructed as office uses, There are some that are just not being leilsed. Some of the buildings could be used either as commercial or office. The other option would be to review uses that are permitted along Huntington Dr, Would they want to continue to restrict the uses to the 1/3? This would need to be reviewedona case by case basis, Mr. Miller thought that item #3 on page 4 of the staff report should be changed. He asked if they could pUla "." after the word "tenant" and delete the remainder of the sentence? Getting into the monetary issue is personal and they should fucus on land use vacancy, He did not want to get into a position where the City is AraoIia City Phmning Commission s 11114/9& accused of creating unreaso.A monetary hardships, Ms, Butler~d that it would be an appropriate deletion, Commissioner Murphy thought that item #3 should contain language that there is evidence on behalf of the property owner that they have diligently attempted to market the property, Just having a property vacant is not adequate, Commissioner Sleeter agreed, He asked if there is already something in the code that discusses a percentage of investment that would by definition become a hardship to make the property more attractive for retail use? Ms, Butler replied that there is nothing in the Code, Staff is recommending that the uses need to be revisited, Hardship exemptions are difficult because of the criteria that needs to be established, She thought that the permitted uses might need to be revisited in March by City Council. The Planning Commission's recommendation will be forwarded the City Council, Commissioner Bruckner thought that prior to City Council taking any actions, the Planning Commission look at the issue in totality of Huntington Dr, and their experience within the past year since the Code changes, They should deal with both the land use and the hardship issues, They need to look at it as a whole instead of pieee by pieee, He thought the hardship issue was raised because they have limited allowable uses on Huntington Dr, There may be a way to look at service issues which are customer driven/oriented which may produce ,the same result as retail along Huntington Dr, and satisfy the land use concerns that the hardshIp question has raised, He thought staff should present a comprehensive report dealing with service/retaiVofficelhardship issues, He felt that even with criteria ~ becomes arbitrary. Commissioner Murphy thought the problem might lie with some of the businesses that are along Huntington Dr, He was concerned with the exemption issue because it can open a pandora's box. Ms, Butler said several businesses have come and gone since the code changes and a listing could be provided to the Planning Commission, Commissioner Sleeter asked that the staffreport be forwarded to the Planning Commission so they will have ample time to review it and not 3-4 days prior to the meeting, He wondered if they should have several mini- sessions to discuss the matter, Ms. Butler recommended bringing a report back to the Planning Commission at their first meeting in February, She would attempt to get the information to the Planning Commission as soon as possible, 10. PLANNING COMMISSION DETERMINATION That the sale of excess flood control property at the rear of the property located at 2629 Foss Ave, is consistent with the General Plan. The staff report was presented, AJadia City PIarmiDg ColllnJis,jon 9 11/24198 MOTION . . It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner determining that the sale of excess flood control property at the rear of the property located at 2629 Foss Ave. is consistent with the General Plan, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Kalemkiarian MAllhK:S foRUM Cll Y CUUNCIL Council Member Roncelli thought they should include First Ave, in their review of uses, In response to a question by Council Member Roncelli, Commissioner Bruckner said they spent a considerable time as a commission and they even had a Saturday walk in the Downtown area, had a workshop with the City Council and spent numerous evenings discussing the land use.issues, Council Member Roncelli commented that he has received calls from several upset business owners along First Ave, who are not happy with the Farmer's Market, It has actually hurt their bu.siness, They have asked that it be moved south by the schooL where it would not block the traffic, or possibly to the County Park, The Farmer's Market has gotten smaller and smaller since its inception, He explained his reason fur voting against the zone change for the Foulger Ford site, He said there was no buyer fur the site, The move was purely speculative, The property owner did not ask fur it, The property has not sold due to its high price, He believed that with an "H" overlay the property would be worth even more and the property owner would increase the price because now it. could be developed with a high rise, Mr. Miller advised that since the Foulger Ford site is not on the agenda, they should not be discussing it. Commissioner Murphy remarked that stafffelt it would stimulate interest in the property, Commissioner Bruckner explained that the frontage along Huntington Dr. should be the most intensely developed and the northern portion of the property should be less intense development, It was not their intent to raise the property value and make it less marketable but to provide the seller more flexibility and the range of the users, He thought the future of the property are tied to what happens at Santa Anita, Mr, Roncelli said he received a call fromMr, Stronach, He is really excited about some of his ideas one of which is possibly eliminating the parking fees, Based on his understanding of their conversation, there will not be two separate businesses there, such as a shopping center and a race track. It will be only one business, He thought it would be a well run company, He probably would be good for all the employees there and improve their living conditions, In his opinion, Mr, Stronach is the best owner for the property, Arcadia City Planning Commissiou 10 11124198 MAIleRS !-RUM PLANNINLISSON . Ms, Butler said the brochure that Was recently distributed encompasses the most frequently asked questions from the Development Services Department. It is designed for new businesses and people who are wanting to come in to the City, It was designed by Robin Lugar, The Planning Commission thought it is a nice brochure. Commissioner Bruckner congratulated Ms, Vergel on receiving the Mayor's Certificate in October, MUUfrlCAl1UN CUMMl1lee M.l:iCTING ACTIONS Ms, Butler said that a synopsis of the actions taken by the Modification Committee were distributed to the Planning Commission, MAIlERS tRUM SIAl't 1. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 2, UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS 3, PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECEMBER 22ND MEETING Ms, Butler recapped the upcoming projects before the Planning Commission and recent actions taken by the City Council. Ms,.Butleralso congratulated Ms, Vergel and aSked the Planning Commission to visit the city's web site, Ms. Vergel announced the city~s web site; i.e. www.ci.arcadia.ca.us. She indicated that both Mayor Kovacic's and Council Member Marshall's photos are on the web site as well as a brief commentary, It was determined that the Planning Commission's December 2200 meeting would be cancelled due to the Holidays, AUJUURNMhN I Arcadia cay Planning Commission 11 11/24198