HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPRIL 15, 1998
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MINUTES
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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
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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, .
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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
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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,
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ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
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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,
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The staff report was presented, .
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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
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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,
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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
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