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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDECEMBER 14, 1999 ~ " . MINUTES . Arcadia City Planning Commission Tuesday, December 14, 1999 7:40p.m. in tbe Council Cbamben 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, December 14, 1999 at 7:40 p.m, in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive with Chairman Richard Bruckner presiding. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Huang, Kalemkiarian,Sleeter, Bruckner ABSENT: Commissioner Murphy MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Huang to excuse Commissioner Murphy from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTIIERS ATTENDING Council Member Gail Marshall Planning Services Manager Corkran Nicholson Associate Planner James Kasama Assistant Planner Candyce Burnett Assistant Planner Kenneth Phung Secretary Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Nicholson distributed letters for the following items: . Agenda item no, 2, MC 99-044 . Agenda item no. 5, MP 99-013 TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN TIIE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS TIIE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) None rJ , . . MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, secomled by Commissioner Huang to read all resolutions by title only and waive reading the full body of the resolution. I. MINUTES of 11/23/99 Commissioners Bruckner and Sleeter abstained from this item. Due to lack of a quorum the Minutes were continued to Januaiy 11th meeting. 2. PUBLIC HEARINGMC 99-044 308 Monte Vista. Rd. Miguel Maio Consideration of modifications for a two-story addition to the main dwelling. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Miguel Maio, representing the owner explained the need for their request. He stated that the walls are not parallel to the property line. The proposed design is the best solution for that problem. If they trie4 to comply with code; they would. end up with odd shape rooms with odd angles. The proposed design is compatible with what is in the area aJ]d is economically feasible. The encroachment does not extend through the entire length of the building only at comers. In some instances, their side yard setbacks exceed code requirement. The neighbors are all supportive of their proposal. They have,minimized the windows on the side of the dwelling to reduce the loss' of privacy on the adjacent neighbors. The..ARB has approved their side yard setback. requests subject to the City's approval. This is an odd shaped lot and compliance is difficult and would be a hardship. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this ' item. ChairtnanBruckner closed the public hearing. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve MC 99-044 subject to the conditions in the staf'freport. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioner Huang, Kalemkiarian, Sleeter, Bruckner None Conimissioner Murphy Chairman, Bruckner noted that there is a five working-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by December 22, 1999, Arcadia City Planning Commission 2 12/14199 '/ , . . 3. PUBLIC HEARING MP 99-012 & ADR 99-025 839 Duarte Rd. LCTDesign Group, Inc. Consideration of modifications for a 4-unit residential condominium project. The staffreport was presented and the public hearing was opened. Tracy Nguyen, 112 N. Earle St said they are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. This project would be compatible with the surrounding properties. Art Vanderveer, 841 W. Duane Rd., was concerned that the driveway would be abutting his property. He asked if the developer could do something about the large and hazardous oak tree, which is located on their property. He thought th.at evel1tually this tree would damage crack the wall and damage their foundation. They asked that windows be located so they do not lose their privacy. Loree Vanderveer, 841 W. Duane Rd., was concerned with the noise that the driveway would create because.their patio abuts the subject property. Staff stated that the driveway would be on the east side of the property and not on the west side where the Vanderveers condo is located. The project complies with 'all the setback and building height requirements. Themaximum building height is 35' but the project has a 27' building height. The building has a 10' side yard setback. The requested 2' wide landscape modification would be on the. east side of the property. With regard to the oak tree, she said that there are no plans to remove the oak tree.. Staff can request that anaroorist inspect the subject oak tree. Mr. Nicholson explained that staff suggests that the developer try to reach an agreeinent with the adjacentpeighbors if there is an existing block'wall.Ifthey are unable to reach an. agreement then the developer will be required to construct anew wall. He said that the developer can build up to 8- units on this lotand still comply with code, but they have reduced the density and will only be building 4-units. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. Chairman Bruckner closed the pubIicheariilg. Commissioner Huang-asked that the developer provide lighting in the trash enclosure area and the common parking area' for security purposes. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by Commissioner Kalemkiarian to approve MC 99-044 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CAll: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioner HUang, Kalemkiarian, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Murphy An:adi. city Planning CoomIis.sioo 3 12/14/99 I . . Chainnan Bruckner noted that there is a five working-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by December 22, 1999. 4. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 99-018 1401 S. Baldwin Ave. (Sav-on Drugstore) Tait &Assoc. Consideration of conditional use permit to allow 24-hour operation of the existing drugstore. RESOLUTION 1601 A resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, granting CUP 99-018 for the 24-hour operation of the existing Sav-on Drugstore at 1401 S. Baldwin Ave. The staff report was presented.and the public hearing was opened. Joe Di Carlo, 1401 S. Baldwin Ave., manager for Say-on Drugstore was present. He indicated that the pharinacy would be open 24"hours and a pharmacist would be on-site at all times. No one else.spoke in favor of or.in opposition to this item. Chairman Bruckner closed the public hearing. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalenikiarian, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve of CUP 99-018 and. adopt Resolution No. 1601 subject to.theconditions in the staffreport. ROLL CALL. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioner Huang, Kalemkiarian, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Murphy Chairrnan.Bruckner noted that there is a five working-day appeal period. Appeais are to be filed by December 22, 1999. Commissioner Huang stepped down from the dais, since he is the applicant on this project. 5. PUBLIC HEARING MP 99-013 1327-9 S. Eighth Ave. Edward Huang Consideration of modifications for anew two-story dwelling. The staff report was presented. Arcadia City Planning Commissioo 4 12114199 , . . In reply to a question, staff said that there are many rooms labeled with different names but the previous modifications were much more extensive. The applicant has made significant reductions in the extent of modifications especially the front yard area. The new code amendments including the angle requirements apply to this house. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Huang stated that the porte cochere is a unique feature. He said between Duarte Rd. and Camino Real on Eight Ave" there are several homes with similar type porte cochere. Some of the modificationsJisted in the staff report were ones that the Planning Commission did not object at the previous hearing: He stated that the overall roof mass was reduced. Because he is a Planning Commissioner he did not want to be the first person to request, so he changed his plans. This isa large lot but his intent is to save the trees on the lot. He tried to integrate the trees into the deSign of the house and courtyard. In fact, they notched a portion of the building to the existing maple tree. He was disappointed that staff was not in favor of his request. The zoning code is a regulatory document and.does not allow this type of a development. His neighbors are in favor of his request and all have reviewed and. approved. the design. His wife has indicated to him.that if he had gone with a traditional design home they probably would be moving in already but he has a lot offaith and believes in the echo home concept. ChaiimaiJ Bruckner remarked that the porte cochere is a rather large and heavy and elongates the front elevation. Mr. Huang replied that it is an architectural feature, It defines the courtyard and fOIIDs the gateway for encountering the oak behind the gate. This layout reflects an appreciation of this preserved tree. Without the porte-cochere to frame. and complete the definition of the court, the oak would stand characterless in the side yard. Staff remarked that an arborist report was received when the previous application was filed but staff can request an. updated report. In response to a question by Commissioner Sleeter, Mr. Huang said that"the hip roof reduces the mass. He has made every effort to work with staff and at the request of staff the gable roof was changed to a hip roof They even removed one fireplace so the chimney would not encroach into.the side yard setback. No one else. spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. Chainnan Bruckner closed the public hearing. Coinmissioner Kalemkiarian did.not think that this was a "smok. e screen" attempt for an echo home. . . He believed that Mr. Huang made every effort to build an echo home. He said that similar type requests are routinely reviewed and approved by the Modification.Committee. He did nbt think that any of the modifications were that dramatic except the porte cochere and that is only 8' deep. The linear affect of the house with the porte cochereis nice especially if the neighbor does not object to the encroachment: He was pleased that the garage was not directly exposed to the street. He feltthat Mr. Huang did a thorough job. He did not think that the building is too high and felt this would secure an appropriate improvement. He did not think that approving this request. with the 35 angle _ad;' Cily PIanniDg Commission , 12114199 .' . . Would set a president because this is an "echo" home and all of the elements add up to the applicant's genuine effort to show that this is just that and not a "smokescreen" attempt. Commissioner Sleeter agreed with Commissioner Kalemkiarian's comments regarding the porte cochere. He was concerned with the height of the entry from the beginning. The Planning Commission recommended to the City Council a 350 angle even though the City Council approved a 30. angle: So, he did not have a problem with the requested angle. He thought that Mr. Huang clearly demonsttated his efforts in addressing all the issues that were raised previously. He was excited about the prospect of having an "echo" home in the City and hoped that it would be successful. Chairman Bruckner did. not think that this is a "smoke sCreen" attempt. He thought this Was a sincere attempt on Mr. Huang's behalf. Most of the modifications meet the intent. of the General Plan. He was concerned with the size of the porte cochere because architecturally it is heavy but not an issue. He was convinced that this was experimental and thought they should be given lead way to the experimental nature of the project. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, seconded by Commissioner Sleeter to approve MP 99-013 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Kalemkiarian, Sleeter, Bruckner None Commissioner Murphy Chairman Bruckner noted that there is a five working-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by December 22, 1999. NON PUBLICHEARINGlTEMS 6. SADR 99~047 1469 S.Baldwin Ave. Sandra Bishop Consideration of a sign for Preferred Bank which was not installed in accordance with the approved concept plans. The staffreportwaS presented. Mr. Nicholson said the sign the City's design review dictates the location of non-English characters. The English characters must be the primary portion of the sign. The non-English is the secondary portion of the sign. Staff is cOncerned with the content and location of the Chinese characters and how they are displayed. FreeStanding sign is based on the property frontage. This sign is inconsistent with the existing signs on Baldwin Ave. Staff is conceri1ed that this would set a precedent. The sign is not compatible with the. wall sign. The English characters should be prominent. characters, AtcadiaCity Planning Commission 6 12114199 " . . Commissioner Huang felt that the size of the characters indicate to him which would .be the primary and the secondary language of the sign andnot the location of the characters on the sign. Sandra Bishop, said she contacted the appropriate authority to find out about the requirements of the code prior to designing and constructing the sign. She does this with all her signs before the signs are fabricated and installed. If they were made aware that the Chinese characters would be required to be on the bottom, they would have never done this. Her client, Preferred Bank, felt that it would be better if the Chinese characters were ontop due to the size. The letter dated August 17th approved the sign as it was submitted. She said that she waS not in the business of going against City's because it is a waste of time. Commissioner Sleeter could not see the distinction between the top and bottom. He could not see the significance between the top and bottom. Chairman Bruckner felt there was a misunderstanding. 'Redid not believe that the applicant intentionally constructed this sign. It is very possible that the applicant did not hear clearly. He could,not see the distinction. Mr. Nicholson said staff acted on the plans that were submitted. He could not understand why they would submit a complete elevation of the then refer to the attaehmentfor the applied content. This is the first time this has happened. Staff is very careful. Commissioner Kalemkiarian agreed with staff and thought the sign should be changed. In response to a question by Council Member Marshall, Ms..Bishop indicated thatit would not be possible to split the sign successfully. The light would leak through and that would not be. nice. Commissioner Huang said that as stated before the size of the area indicates what is the primary and secondary 'and not the location. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve SADR 99-047. . ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Sleeter, Bruckner Commissioner Kalemkiarian Commissioner Murphy MATIERS FROM CITY COUNCIL Council Member Marshall stated that Anoakia was approved. City Council will be discussing putting a cap on the Police bond issue. MATIERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSON Arcadia City Plannirig ComInission 7 12114199 , . . Commissioner Sleeter said he attended the Scoping meeting for Westfield. He thought the consultarit did a poor job of explaining the project. it is a nice project. MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS CommissionerKalemkiarian recapped the actions taken by the Modification Committee. MATTERS FROM STAFF 1. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 2. UPCOMING AGENDA I1EMS Mr. Nicholson infonned the Planning Commission of upcoming agenda items. ADJOURN TO JANVARY 11,2000 8:50 p.m. Q.L ~.11' \LID Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 8 12/14199