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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJULY 14, 1998 . MINUTES . Arcadia Cit~. Planning Commission Tuesda~'. Jul)' 14, 1998 7:15 p.1O. in tbe 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, July 14, 1998 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 Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Murphy Commissioner Sleeter MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by Commissioner Kalemkiarian to excuse Commissioner Sleeter from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. 1, PLANNING COMMISSION REORGANIZA nON Chairman Murphy asked ifthere were any nominations for Chairman? MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, 'seconded by Commissioner Huang to nominate Commissioner Kalemkiarian as Chairman. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Murphy NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Sleeter Chaiiman Kalemkiarian took his seat at the dais. He asked if there were any nominations for Chairman Protem. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Huang to nominate Commissioner Bruckner as Chairman Protem. AYES: Commissioners Bruckner. Huang, Kalemkiarian, Murphy NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Sleeter v. . e OTHERS A ITENDiNG City Attomey Michael Miller Community Development Administrator Donna Butler Associate Planner Jim Kasama Assistant Planner John Halminski Secretary Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Butler said that a letter of opposition was distributed by Arthur Villarreal and Nanette Buenavidez regarding CUP 98-015. TIME RESERVED FOR lliOSE IN 1HE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS 1HE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERs (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) None 2. MINUTES. of 6/23/98 MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve the Minutes ofJuoe 23rdas published. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Kalemkiarian None Commissioner Bruckner Commissioner Sleeter 3. PUBLIC HEARING TPM 98~014 45 Lucille Ave. Tritech Assoc. Consideration of a tentative parcel map for a 2~tinit residential condominium project. The stafTreport was presented and the public hearing was opened. Tom Cao, Tritech Assoc., 735 W. Emerson, Monterey Park, said they were in agreement'with all of the conditions in the staff report. No one else spoke in favor of this item. Chainnan Kalemkiarian declared the public hearing closed. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve TPM 98-014 subject to the conditions in the staff report. Arcadia city Planning Commission 2 7/14198 ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: . e Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Kalemkiarian None Commissioner Sleeter Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a ten-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by Friday, July 24111. 4. PUBLIC HEARING TPM 98-015 134 Fano Bowden Dev. Consideration of a tentative parcel map for a 2-imit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Richard Tippio, Bowden Dev., 425 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, said they were in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. No one else.spoke in favor of this item. Chairman Kalemkiarian declared the public hearing closed. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve TPM 98-015 subject to the conditions in the staff report ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Kalemkiarian None Commissioner Sleeter Chairn\an Kalemkiarian noted that there is a ten-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by Friday, July 24111. 5. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 98-013 29 E. Huntington Dr. Arcadia Presbyterian Church Consideration of a conditional use permit to operate a coffee bar with related parking modifications for both the coffee bar and proposed dental office in the rear 2/3 of the building. The proposed coffee bar will occupy the front 1/3 of the building. The staff-report was presented. Staff indicated that no outdoor seating was proposed. The public hearing was opened. ArczIdia city Planning Commission 3 7/14f98 . e Jerry Haserot, 121 Alice, said he was representing Arcadia Presbyterian Church. At the request of Chairman Kalemkiarian he agreed that the.employees should not utilize the 4 parking spaces. Garland Roberson, ABA President, questioned why would they want to open a coffee shop when there are already three in the immediate area? From a business point of view, that does not make sense. He asked what their projected sales would be? How can they expect to be successful when they are going to be open for limited hours? Who will their clientele be? Is this a front for an outreach type ofa program? If it is he objected to the use. The City Council spent too much. money in the downtown area to let this type of a use go in that will be not open until 4:00 p.m. Steve Soo, 25 E. Huntington Dr., was concerned that the coffee shop's patrons would utilize their parking spaces. He questioned the Negative Declaration and remarked that it did not address the potential traffic that could be generated. He wondered what type of a security would be provided? In rebuttal, Mr, Haserot, said they would have a manager on site at all times. He anticipated that the ages of their clientele would be between 16-30 years old. In addition to coffee they would serve sweet rolls. They hope to engage in conversations with their patrons and hopefully introduce them to their church or any other church. He did not think they would be in competition withStarbucks. He went on to say that they did look at another site. The property owner of the subject site is affiliated with their church. When he discovered the church was looking for a location, the property owner told them that he had a building fronting on Huntington Dr. that needed to have a retail use in the front With regard to parking he suggested postingsigns.so the patrons would know where to paIkThis establishment would'be open to anyone who would want to attend. He did not think there would be security problems. The name of the coffee.shop will be "Huntington 29". He hoped that'by the end of the second year they would be making some profits. They might have some entertainment in the form ora guitar playeL He remarked that if they find that the business is successful, they are willing to be open more hours. Although they plan to advertise, he anticipated that they would get most of their clients by word of mouth. In response to questions by staff and. the City Attorney, Mr. Haserot assured the Planning Commission that this would be a nice establishment and people would feel safe and comfortable when'they walkedoin. This will be a retaiLuse like any other coffee.shop. They will have counters, coffee maChines, sweet rolls, registers, etc. At all times they will be open to the general public. Noone else spoke in favor of this item. Chairman Kalemkiarian declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Bruckner said that he knows from experience that teenage kids do go to these types of establishments. It is the new trend. He thought it would be a good project as long as it is well supervised. He was familiar with the church's policjes and was confident that it would be a well-run establishment. This would be a retail use and at the same time provide a service to the children of the community. Arcadia city PJamlDtg Commission 4 7/14/98 . e Commissioner Huang said the intent of the downtown program is to bring in retail business. He was not concerned with the competition issue but questioned how experienced they were in running a coffee shop. He hopecl the ABA would welcome them into the area and give them assistance so that this would be a successful business. Commissioner Murphy reminded them that "Steerburger" was the prior use at this site and in his opinion that was a more intense type of a use. He just wanted to have assurance that this would tnily be a retail use. He hoped that they would be open longer hours. Chairman Kalemkiarian agreed. He was concerned with the employees using the 4 available parking spaces. He remarked that if this is a problem use it could always be brought back to the Planning Commission. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Murphy to approve CUP 98-013 subject to the conditions in the staff report with the additional condition thatthe employees not utilize the 4 available parking spaces. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES' ABSENT: Commissioners Bruckner; Huang; Murphy, Kalemkiarian None Commissioner Sleeter Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a five working day appeal period after adoption of the resolution. The resolution will be adopted on July 281b. Appeals are to be filed by Wednesday, August Sib. 6. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 98-014 145 E. Foothill blvd. (the VonSlSav-On Shopping Center) Bryan Tungseth of Express Permits for Baskin-Robbins Consideration of a conditional. use permit and. related parking modifications to allow seating for 22 people ata 1,600 sq. ft. ice cream parlor. The staff repOrt was presented and the public hearing was opened. Bryan Tungseth, Express Permits, 145 E. Foothill Blvd., said they were in agreement with all of"the conditions in the staff report. No one else spoke in favor of this hem. Chairman Kalemkiarian declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Murphy remarked thathe frequently visits the location on the south side of Foothill Blvd. and thought that. it would be a good improvement to the center. He did not think that seating was an Issue. Arcadia City'Planning Commission ~ 7114/98 . - MOTiON It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve CUP 9S-0 14 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Kalemkiarian None Commissioner Sleeter Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a five working day appeal period after adoption of the resolution. The resolution will be adopted on July 2S'b Appeals are to be tiled by Wednesday, August 5th. 7. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 9S-015 S17-S21 S. FrrstAve. Mrs. Min-Mey Chang Consideration of a conditional use permit and related parlcing modification for an enrichment education center for a maximum of 75 students. The hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The staff report was presented. With regard to a question asked by the Commission, staff said that the Commission could require that a portion of the multi-purpose room be utilized for kids that are waiting to be picked up or to go to classes. It was noted that the Fire Department Conducts random annual inspections. The public hearing was opened. Min Mey Chang, 1140 SingingWood Dr., said that they presently are operating a school out of Dana Jr. High School. Due to limited hoUrs at the school (3:00-6:00 p.m.), they are proposing to run a school at the subject site. This will enable them to operate extended hours. They offer classes such as English.as a second language, SAT classes, music; art and culture. It is their desire to provide quality education to their students. She remarked that this would be a less intense use than the previous use, which was a bookStore. They would certainly need less parking than the bookStore. The parents will drop off the kids and return later to pick them up. Theywill not stay and utilize the parking while the kids are in class. They would not hold any classes in the 1,570 sq. ft. office building. All classes would be held in the southerly building. They had originally anticipated and hoped to have 75 students but they have since reduced that number to 49. The 49 students would not be there all at the same time. There is a gate in the courtyard. She remarked that they are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. In reply to a question by Commissioner Huang, Mrs. Chang stated that they were unaware that some of their patrons had utilized the neighbor's parking and assured the Planning Commission that they would request that all parents use the designated parking.spaces. Commissioner Huang suggested posting a notice with regard.to parking and Mrs. Chang agreed. Arcadia City Plarming Conunission 6 7114198 . - Donna Cole, 4932 McClintock, Temple City, said thatshe is involved with the school and .her son also takes classes there. She was very' pleased with the way the school is run. It is a very organized and well-run establishment. ' Bruce Hildreth, 824 S. First Ave., spoke in opposition. He had concerns with the parking and remarked that there are already problems because of the office building at the northeast comer of First Ave. and Duarte Rd. He said cars are sometimes double parked and even triple parked. There are already traffic problems and this would only worsen the situation. This would be a fire hazard, Is the building handicap accessible? He has driven by Dana Jr. High School when the school IS finished and the traffic is a nightmare. Ms, Butler remarked that the building would have to be brought into compliance with regard to handicap accessibility requirements. Mr. Hildreth went on to say that there would be a lot of accidents here, especially with all the confusion that will be created by people who will be driving slow. Inrebuttal, Mrs. Chang reiterated'thatthey havereduced the number of students to 49. They will be changing the driveways to reduce confusion. She did not think that traffic would be an issue, In answer to a question asked by Commissioner Murphy, Mrs. Chang did not object to having the kids being .picked-up at the rear of the building or having them wait inside, in the designated portion of the building, while they are waiting to be picked up or waiting for classes. She agreed to post directional signs in the parking lot. , No one else spoke.in favor of this item. Chairman Kalemkiarian declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Bruckner did not think that this use would create a, problem,' In his opinion, 49 students are not that many. He asked that the teaching and office staffnot'utilize the street parking but was not sure if that could be implemented. Commissioner Huang agreed. Commissioner Murphy did not think that the traffic situation at Dana School could be compared to here. At Dana, all the kids are let out at once whereas the .number of students here is limited. One cannot be compared with the other. He'was certain that their concerns would be mitigated by staffs suggestions. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve CUP 98-015 subject to the conditions in the staff report with the additional conditions listed below: 1. Requiring all staff to utilize theon-site parking and not park on the street. 2. Students be kept in the atrium or other designated area within the building while they are waiting to be picked up or to go to classes, 3, Signs be posted within the parking lot so parents are routed through First Ave. and exit unto Lucille Arcadia C~"Plamiiitg Commission 7 7/1419ll Notices b!ed on both buildings so that no ontzes the neighbors' parking Jot. . 4. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Murphy, Kalemkiarian None Commissioner Sleeter Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a five working day appeal period after adoption of t1ie resolution. The resolution will be adopted on July 28th. Appeals are to be filed by Wednesday, August 5th. MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL None MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMlSSON In response to a question by the Commission, Ms. Butler said that a joint study session is to be scheduled in August with both the City Council and the Planning Commission to discuss the Santa Anita project, Staffwill advise of the date when a meeting has been scheduled. Commissioner Bruckner congratulated the City Attorney for his achievement with the lot split at 270 W. Orange Grove. MODIFICATION COMMlTTEEMEETINGACTIONS Commissioner. Bruckner recapped the actions taken by the Modification Committee. MATTERS FROM STAFF 1. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 2. UPCOMiNG AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Butler recapped the upcoming projects before the Plann.ing Commission. She stated that the appeal of the home on Hampton would be before the City Council at their next meeting. ADJOURNMENT 'g Commission ~adja City Planning CommisSion 8 7114198