HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 25, 1998
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MINUTES
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An:adiJl City Planning Commission
Tuesday, Augnst25, 1998
7:15 p.rn. 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, August 25,
1998 at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W,Huntington Drive with
Chairman Paul Kalemkiarian presiding,
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Kalemkiarian
ABSENT: None
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Huang to read the
resolution by title only and waive reading the full body of the resolution, The motion passed
by voice vote with none dissenting,
OTHERS ATTENDING
City Attorney Michael Miller
Community Development Administrator Donna Butler
Assistant Planner John Halminski
Secretary Silva V &gel
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
Ms, Butler distributed a letter from the Arcadia School District (ASD) regarding Z-98-001,
expressing their concerns with a 7-story building that could interfere with their data transmission:
TIME RESERVED FOR TIiOSE IN 1HE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS 1HEPLANNING
COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLICHEAR1NG MAITERS (5 MINUTE LIMITPER PERSON)
None
1. MINUTES of 8/11/98
Commissioner' Murphy thought that his comments on page 3 of the Minutes were confusing and
asked that it be corrected,
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MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Murphy to approve
the Minutes of August 11th as amended,
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Kalemkiarian
None
2, PUBLIC HEARINGMP 98-009 & ADR 98-024
I1l4Fairview Ave,
John Sheng
Consideration of modifications for a 6-unit residential condominium project,
The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened,
Alan Hsieh, 805 W, Duarte~d"representing Wilson & Son Development was present. In response
to a question by Commissioner Murphy he stated that they chose this particular design because this
style seems to be most accepted by their clientele and it ismore.cost.effective,
No one else spoke ill favor of or in opposition to this item,
Commissioner Murphy wished that architects would provide projects with better elevations and
presentmore creative developments. He feared that in a few years everything'in the R-3 zone would
look the same.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve MP
98-009 & ADR 98-024 subject to the conditions in the staff report.
ROLLCALL:
AYES:
NOES:
Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Kalemkiarian
None
Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a five' working day appeal period, Appeals are to be filed
by Wednesday, September 2nd .
An:adia city Planning Commission
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3, PUBLIC HEARING Z 98-001
55 W. Huntington Dr, (fonner FOlilger Ford.site)
Consideration of a zone change to add an "H7" (high rise) overlay allowing a maximum of
seven (7) stories, 75 feet in height to the existing C"2 (General Commercial) zoning
designation.
The staff report was presented,
Ms, Butler responded to questions by saying that she did not know the extent of authority the City
would have With blocking Arcadia School District's (ASD) translilission,
Mr. Miller said that each project should be reviewed on case by case. The City can. analyze the
ASD's concerns and require CUPs for projects. This cannot be addressed at this time and it is
possible that concerns could be addressed by requiring a CUP,
Commissioner Bruckner suggested limiting the high rise to a portion of the lot. In his opinion, the
best location for the high rise would be along Huntington Dr. He suggested limiting the high rise
portion to' the first 250' of the property extending to the north along Huntington Dr. and the
remainder of the property be maintained as the current zoning designation. Possibly the rear portion
of the lot could be utilized as parkffig,
Ms. Butler said that was not considered but there are some properties in the City that .have two
different zoning designations, She indicated that under the current zoning a building that is a
maximum of 3-stories or 40' would be permissible, She stated that the Bekins building is a 4-
story/60' high building,
Commissioner Bruckner said if they decide to approve the "double-zoning" they should send a clear
message to the property owner that every effort should be made so the .high rise building is as
unobtrusive as possible.
Commissioner Sleeter remarked that a 6-story/65' high. building would not be inconsistent With what
is in the area, In fact a high rise on this site could conceivably obscure the Bekins building which he
thought was an eye sore, .
The public hearing was opened,
Steve Kiser, 220 Newport Center Dr., #20, Newport Beach, attorney representingBiII Adkins, the
property owner spoke in favor of the zone change, He said Mr. Adkins would like to have the zone
change to allow for a high rise building at this site. The property has been in escrow on a couple of
occasions, The latest buyer's plan would have required an H-7/75' high zoning, This buyer had
designed most of the building along Huntington Dr. which is the largest street frontage with views of
the racetrack and the golf course, This most recent deal was terminated because the City did not
approve the H8 zoning, The developer did not want to wait until the zone change was approved,
especially, since they were required to deposit funds in September, They felt the zone change
process could have dragged on indefinitely,
The subject property has been actively marketed for over a year, Prior to the most recent proposal,
they came to the City With. a retail development. After that deal fell through, the City infonned
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them that an office building would be a more desirable use, so they began marketing the site for that
type of a development
He assured the Planning Commission that any development on this site would be a fust class
building, He asked that they approve H7, Any development ofahigh rise at this site would require
a CUP application, notification of property owners and a thorough review by the Agency and the
Planning Commission. The building would go through the design review process,
Art Garcia, the real estate representative for the property owner, said that he has been attempting to
sell this property for the past two years. The main objection by the City with the latest development
was that the building is too massive and dominant and would intrude on the privacy of the
homeowners. He' distributed a site plan of the office building that was proposed for this site, A
major portion of the building was to be along Huntington Dr, with the parking and the parking
structure to the northerly portion of the property, The impact of the building on the homeowners
would be minimal. Although the next developer could develop with a different plan, he felt that
most would place the building along Huntington Dr. to take full advantage of view and not to the
northerly portion of the property, He did not think that the employees in this.office building would
look down onto the backyards of the homeowners but would look at the distant for view. They will
be busy working,
The subject area is located at the beginning of the Central Business District and a nice office
building would be a good entrance to that portion of the City, He remarked that the project could be
controlled with a CuP. He thought that either an office building or a hotel could be constructed on
this site.
Gregory Klatt, 212 San Antonio Rd" was concerned with the loss of privacy if a high rise was to be
constructed at this location. He remarked that from his property, he can see the Bekins building
from his master bedroom and a smaIl portion of the windmill. He was concerned with the property
values. They purchased their home in ~ area because of the calm and quietness, and the view of
the mountains, An office building at this site would bean intrusion. The traffic that-would be
increased by any office building or a hotel would be an intrusion on all the homeowners, The
"Gardens" area of Arcadia will be affected by a high rise at this site and requested that the property
notbe developed with a 7-story high rise, A high rise building would be incompatible because there
are no other high.rises in the area. He had not had an opportunity to review the General Plan and
wondered if a high rise at this site would be consistent. He has discussed this with some of his
neighbors, all of whom are against that type of a development.
In rebuttal, Mr. Kiser stated a ~story office would most defmitely be consistent with both the
General Plan and ARA Reso, 172, This afternoon, he drove,around the "Gardens" area to respond to
concerns raised by Mr, and Mrs, Taibi and he felt that the tall trees. along Santa Clara would mitigate
the loss of any privacy and noted that Mr. Klatt's home is on San Antonio which is even further
away. The proposed new building would certainly be more attractive than the Bekins building or the
windmill which is visible to Mr, Klatt. He stated that Mr, Klatt is too far from this site to have..his
privacy impacted.
Mr, Garcia noted that this property has been vacant for the past 6 years, thus, any development
would increase traffic, He thought that an office use would be preferred over a retail type of a use,
In an office situation, most employees are there on weekdays and go home around 5 :00 p,m, but with
a retail use, the hollJS of operation would be much longer imd include weekends, He disagreed with
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Mr. Klatt's comment that! is no other high rise buildings in the. aJ!d cited the Towne Center
building at the corner of Santa Anita Ave, and Santa Clara,
No one else spoke in favor of this item.
Chainllan Kalemkiarian declared the public hearing closed,
Commissioner Sleeter was pleased that the radius was increased for the public hearing to all property
owners within 600' and commented that not many homeowners have spoken out. He liked
Commissioner Bruckner's suggestion of restricting the high rise to the area along Huntington Dr,
and felt that restriction would mitigate any intrusion on the neighbors.
Ms, Butler said that if they do not change the zoning on this property, then. they. could develop the
site with a 3-story/40' high building. Staff is recommending a zone change for a maximum of 6-
story/65' high building.
Commissioner Murphy said thatat the last public hearing he was the dissenting vote and he still did
not agree with this zone change, He was concerned with the residents of the area, A 6 or7-story
high building is just not compatible not withstanding the existing Bekins building. This is absolutely
not the right location fora, high rise building. This is the entrance to the CBDzone,. especially with
the location of the monument sign and in his opinion a high rise would be incompatible, Per, Mr.
Garcia's own words, the buildiDg would be "dominant and massive", He agreed with the City
Council's decision and concerns over a high rise. He wanted to send a clear message to the property
owner that'an office building would 'be too massive and inappropriate for this site, He did not like
tbe idea of having a high rise at this site and did not tIili1k it would wOIk here, He hoped that if this
is approved, and they return with a CUP, the design and elevations would be such that he could
support'it. He was against a high rise overlay at this site.
In response to a question, Ms. Butler said that it would be difficult to wait until a specific proposal
was submitted with a CUP and then to proceed with the appropriate zone cbange, A zone change
takes approximately four months to process,
Commissioner Bruckner thought the.intent of the specific site is what needs to be discussed, What is
the intent for this site? He thought when the Santa. Anitaracettack is developed, they would be
taking away any retail market. He hoped that the development of this site would create activity and
have a positive affect on the downtown area. He thought that a 5 or 6-story building would.be most
appropriate,
Commissioner Huang agreed with Commissioners Bruckner and Sleeter, He did not think that a
retail use would be successful here because it is not on a major commercial street, He felt the City
should help the' property owner develop this site with an office use. He also thought that a major
portion of the building should be along Huntington Dr, and possibly a lower rise building or the
parking to the northern portion of the property: He wanted to provide flexibility for the deVeloper
and thought they should focus on the location of the high rise portion of the building along
Huntington Dr,
Commissioner Murphy was sympathetic with the .property owner but felt they need to look at the
bigger picture, He did not want to approve this zone change just to appease the property owner. He
imagined a6-story high rise and the massiveness of the building on Huntington Dr,
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Chainnan Kalemkiarian did not think that a high rise office building would be incompatible, in fact
it would be in keeping in what is in the area, considering the medical building at 300 Huntington Dr,
and the Towne Center building on Santa Anita, He did have a difficult time with restricting the high
rise to only a portion of the property because he did not wantto stifle the developer's creativity, Any
use on this property would certainly generate less traffic than the previous automotive sales and
. repair use, He thoughtthat a CUP would help control how the property is developed,
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to recommend
approvalofZ-98-001 to allow a H6 overlay for the first 200' of the property extending back
from HWltington Dr, and the remaining portion of the lot to remain with a C-2zoning to the
City Council.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
Commissioners Bruckner,.Huang, Sleeter, Kalemkiarian
Commissioner Murphy
NON PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 1577
A resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, granting CUP 98-017
and ADR 98-018 for a cellular telecommunications facility and a 45-foot tall monopole antennae
s~cture at 12340 L6werAzusa Rd,
Ms. Butler read the title of the resolution,
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Huang to adopt
Res6lution.No, 1577 and formally affirm the decision of August 11th and the vote thereon.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Sleeter, Kalemkiarian
None
Chainnan Kalemkiarian noted that there is a five working day appeal j'eriod following the adoption
of the resolution, Appeals are to be filed by Wednesday, September 2 ,
MATIERS FROM CITY COUNCIL
None
ArOadia City Plmming Commissioo
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MATfERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSON
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None
MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS
Mg, Butler recapped the actions taken by the Modification Committee,
MATTERS FROM STAFF
}, CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
2, UPCOMING AGENDA IlEMS
Ms. Butler recapped the upcoming projects before the Planning Commission and recent actions taken by
the City Council.
She indicated that at their joint meeting with the City Council regarding the Santa Anita project they will
be presented with basic conceptual plans. She thought that Mr, Austin would be present. At this meeting
they should not discuss their position on the project. This is a public meeting and not a public hearing.
Commissioner Bruckner hoped their architect and economist would also be presentat this meeting,
Commissioner Huang remarked that according to Mr. Austin the architect would be present.
ADJOURN TO AUGUST 31 81
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ecretluy, Ar la anniitg mm.ission
_. City PIamUog Commission
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