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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPRIL 15, 1998 I . MINUTES . Arcadia City Planning Commission Wednesday, April 15, 1998 7:15 p.m. in tbeCouncil Chambers Planning Commission proceedings are tape-recorded and on file in the office of the Community Development Division, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Planning Commission or the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Wednesday, April 15, 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 Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy Commissioner Kalemkiarian MOlTON It was moved by Commission Huang, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to excuse Commissioner Kalemkiarian from tonight's meeting, The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting, OTHERS ATTENDING: Mayor Robert Harbicht City Attorney Michael Miller Community Development Administrator DonnaButler Assistant PlannerJohn Halminski Secretary Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON~PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) None 1. MINUTES of 3/24/98 . . MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Bell to approve the Minutes of March 24th as published, ' ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy None Commissioner Kalemkiarian 2, PUBLIC HEARING MP 98-003& ADR 98-002 45Lucille St, Kamen Lai Consideration of modifications for a 2-unitresidential condominium project, The staff report was presented, In response to questions by the Commission, ,staff stated that the Planning Commission can request several alternatives such as additional landscape planters along the easterly property line, planting vines that would grow and eventually provide relief ,of the decorative block wall or require additional bow outs, In this zone the required driveway width is 12.5', Staffwas concerned that large planters could inhibit access, He distributed a sample materials board and said the color scheme is'neutral colors, The public hearing was opened, Kamen Lai, 925 Edith, Alhambra, the architect of the project was present. He noted that the density is 3,5 units, in this zone but they are 'proposing only two units and remarked thatthe due to the narrow lot width, they can only construct 2-units, He also said that the requested modifications are typical ones that are required for similar type lots, Commissioner Huang suggested that the balcony facing the street be reduced in size to provide architectural relief. Mr. Lai repliedthat they could lower the railing or they can provide walls in between to break it up into sections, In reply to ComrnissionerBell's question, Mr,Lai said that the stucco pop .outs are architectural features on the south side of the buildings, Referring to. the easterly elevation, he indicated that this section will not be enclosed and that the posts will protrude 1.5', No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, ,seconded by Commissioner Huang to close the public hearing, The vote passed by voice vote with none dissenting, . Arcadia Cil)' Planning 'cununissicn 2 4/15'98 . . Staff reiterated that vines could be planted to break up the wall on the east side of the project, Ms, Butler said that code requires a 12.5' wide driveway for multiple-family units and she thought planters should not encroach any more than l' into this area. She stated that creeping vines are very successful types of plants and in the past this type of a plant has been utilized in other projects to provide relief. Commissioner, Bell expressed concern with the appearance of the building and that there are too many pillars, She thought it'was top heavy and unbalanced, She did not think that reducing the size of the pillars would help, The balcony is too long and she expressed concern with the pop out stucco windows, Ms"Butlet felt the architect was trying,to provide architectural relief. She suggested opening the public hearing to see if the applicant would want to make changes to the design addressing the Planning Commission's concerns, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Huang to re-open the public .hearing, The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting, Mr, Lai explained the color scheme and stated that the pop outs around the windows will be a different color and approximately 2~' thick. ' Ms, Butler said that the use of stucco around the windows is common, Commissioner Bruckner stated that the design, I1roportion and the scale of the building .is inconsistent and pointed out thatthe pillars on the upper floor are centered and the ones on the. ground floor are off- centered, Mr, Lai said that the overhang is located in,the rear of the building over the'open parklngarea, Commissioner Sle,eter said the projectis asymmetrical. Ms, Butler said if the Planning Commission has concerns with the front elevation'the balcony could possibly be scaled down and the revised plans cOuld be brought b ack to the Planning Commission, Mr. Miller expressed concern with ~edesigning of the project, especially when it meets all the ADR criteria, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bell, seconded by Commissioner Huang to close the public' hearing, The vote passed by voice vote with none dissenting, Chairman Murphy said that perhaps it is a little top heavy but hewe1comed the new design and thought it was nice to see a different design, He thought that they could approve theprojectand have staff work Arcadia City Planning Commission J 4115198 with the architect to add relief the project and address the conce~entioned by the Planning Commissioilwithout completely redesigning, Mr, Miller did not think that this was the intent oithe code, It was never the intention to allow the redesigning of a project, They have already made the finding that it meets the criteria and it would be going too far, Ms, Butler indicated that staff made the finciingthat it metthe criteria, Mr, Miller said he has not heard any relation to the criteria other than something is preferred .and that is n()tsufficient as a finding, Cortunissioner,BeiI thought that the design does not enhance the visual environment of the city, preserve and protect property values and mitigate against degradation and depreciation, She said finding 0,8 would be appropriate, Mr, Miller did not think that it is within the jurisdiction of this body to come up with a subjective view, He suggested a study session with this body at.another time and date to review the parameters because that:was not the intent of the statutes that was designed'by the City, He thought that it wolild be difficult to deny the project while it meets the criteria set by code, If the Planning Commission decides to approve, they.can indicate in their motion that staff work with the applicant and to the extent that it is feasible to mitigate the concerns that were raiseq, Chairman Murphy felt there appears to be some confusion regarding what they are empowered to do, If the Planning Commission could make a finding D,8 they could deny, Mr. Miller replied that it would be an impossible finding to make considering, all the criteria hils been met. Chairman Murphy was confident that staff could work with the applicant to improve the design, He thought that special language should be included to provide relief in the guardrail, provide additional landscaping along the easterly block wall to the extent possible, Commissioner Huang thought the length of the balcony should be reduced, Commissioner Bruckner stated that this. is poor architecture, He hoped that the architect would redesign the project so that'it is:a more balanced building, MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve MP 98- 003 & ADR. 98-002 subject to the conditions in the staff report with the conditions that additional landscaping be provided on the east side of the property along the wall and that the front elevation be redesigned subject to the approval of the Planning staff, Arcadia City Planning"Commission 4 411,i98 ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: . . Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy Commissioner Bell Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chainnan Murphy noted that there is a five working day appeal period, Appeals are to be filed by Wednesday, April 22nd, 3, PUBLIC HEARlNG1M 52515 631 Fairview Ave, Tritech Assoc, Consideration of atentative map for a 12-unit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened, Tom Hong Cao, Tritech Assoc" 735 W, Emerson, Monterey Park, the engineer of the project was present, He indicated that 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 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 1M 525.15 subject to, the conditions in the staft'report, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chainnan Murphy noted that there is a ten-day appeal period, Appeals are to be filed by Monday, April 27th, 4, PUBLIC HEARING CUP 98-006 22 W, LiveQakAve, Futurelink Computer, Inc. Consideration of a conditional use pennino operate a computer training center between 9:30 a,m, to 9:30p,m" Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays, Arcadia Cily Planning Commission 5 4115198 The staff report was presented, . . Staff remarked that this is a self-contained sole user building. Four carpool vans can park in the rear, Staff did not object to parking two of the vans on thestieet. There is a loading dock in the back and they could block it. The vans can pull into the back to drop off'the children and there is access to the building from the back, The maximum number ofstudents is 60, The public hearing was opened, Su Ling Chen, 22 W, Live Oak, the applicant of the project was present. She indicated that they would notbe,adding any more landscaping to the front but would be maIntaining what is already existing, She corrected the error that was made on item #17 of the Environmental Information Form and said there would be a maximum of 60 students ,at anyone time, They will pick-up the children from schools arid bring to their facility, In the Temple City location, they have approximately 100 registered students;'20 are enrolled in the computer classes, 10 attend the morning classes and tbe other 10,the evening classes, In theTemple City location, they have 6 full-time employees aild they have never experienced a parking ~~~ ' In response to a question by Chairman Murphy, Ms, Chen stated that it would be difficult for them to maintain a minimum of 4 vans, since J of the 6 vans belong to the drivers and they do not leave them overnight. She did not anticipate any problems with the parking and said that parents pick-up the children at various hours and there would not,be a conflict with the available parking, They could advise the parents to park in the designated locations in the parking.1ot. No one else spoke in favor of orin opposition. to this item, MOTION It was moved by COll1m,issioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to close the public hearing, The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting, Ms, Butler thought the requirements for having a certain number of vans would be difficult to police, She reminded the Planning Commission that this is a school and most of the students are not of driving age, Commissioner Sleeter did not object'to the number of students but was concerned with the proximity to the intersection and their frontage' on Live Oak, Staff replied that the traffic engineer did not have any concerns with this use, There is plenty of room before the intersection, Chairman Murphy visited the site and said there is little traffic and remarked that the children could even be picked-up in,the front. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve CUP 98-006 subject to the conditions in the staff report, Ar.:adia City Planning CQmmissiop 6 4/15/98 . . ROLL CALL: AYEs: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Bell, Bruckner, Huang, Sleeter, Murphy None Commissioner Kalemkiarian Chairman Murphy noted that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution, The resolution will be adopted on April 281b Appeals are to be filed by Tuesday, May 5th, MA TIERS FROM CITY COUNCIL Mayor Harbicht announced the previous night's election results, He also stated that this would be the last Planning Commission meeting that he would be attending as liaison, He stated that the Farmer's Marlcet will be on Saturday, April 18th and encouraged everyone to attend, He summarized upcoming episodes of "Speaking of Arcadia' and topicS of discussion, With regard to the Farmer's Market, ChainnanMurphy said that he discussed this program with the ABA president who told him that in order for this to be successful, the public would have. to spend $8,000 each Saturday, MATTERS FROM PLANNINGCOMMISSON None MODIFICATION COMMITIEE MEETING ACTIONS There was no Modification Committee meeting, MATIERS.FROMSTAFF ), CITY COUNCIL ACTONS 2, UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Ms, Butler recapped the upcoming projects before the Planning Commission. ADJOURNMENT Arcadia City Plarming CommissiOl1 7 4/15198